PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandr Chernekov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alberto Rossi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Chernekov
vs
Rossi

175 cm
22
177 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

176 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Improved boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Aleksandr Chernekov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Alberto Rossi!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shigeki Sano and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chernekov misses with a two punch combination.
A jab from Chernekov does it's job there.
Rossi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Chernekov catches Rossi with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Chernekov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Chernekov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rossi is out of range and Chernekov settles back down.
Nice uppercut lands for Chernekov. That snapped Rossi's head back.
Chernekov looks to score with a jab to the body but Rossi is just out of range.
Chernekov misses with a series of wild punches.
Chernekov scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Chernekov gets caught flat footed, as Rossi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Chernekov keeping moving, preventing Rossi from controlling successfully.
Rossi prevents Chernekov from getting back to his feet.
Chernekov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Chernekov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chernekov has a closed guard, preventing Rossi from standing up.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Chernekov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Rossi trying to control the position from guard on top but Chernekov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Chernekov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Rossi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The fighters circling - Chernekov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Chernekov throws a leg kick
and Rossi counters with an outside leg kick.
Chernekov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rossi counters with a three punch combo that has Chernekov backing up. Chernekov nods at Rossi to acknowledge the strikes.
Rossi misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
An inside leg kick lands from Rossi.
Rossi with a poor takedown

and Chernekov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Rossi looks like he's trying to stand up.
Rossi tries to roll over but Chernekov keeps him under control.
Rossi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Rossi looks gassed!
Rossi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Rossi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Chernekov tries to stand and escape but Rossi is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Chernekov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Rossi has a closed guard, preventing Chernekov from standing up.
Chernekov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Chernekov stopping the sweep attempt from Rossi.
Chernekov wants to get up but he can't break Rossi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Rossi is looking for a triangle but Chernekov pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Chernekov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Rossi working for a triangle but Chernekov defends it easily.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A punch combination from Chernekov misses.
A leg kick checked by Chernekov.
Rossi fails with the takedown

and Chernekov counters with a takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Chernekov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Chernekov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rossi's calf.
Rossi throws a low kick but Chernekov avoids it.
Rossi throws a series of punches but Chernekov avoids them all with ease.
Chernekov slips under a jab.
Rossi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Chernekov catches Rossi with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Rossi keeps the fight on the outside.
Aleksandr Chernekov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Chernekov throws a front kick aimed at Rossi's knee but Rossi avoids it well.
Rossi moves away from the strike by Chernekov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chernekov throws a leg kick that is checked
and Rossi counters with an inside leg kick.

Chernekov gets the takedown into side control.
Chernekov moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Rossi tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Chernekov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Rossi is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rossi sneaks back into half guard.
Chernekov prevents Rossi from improving his position.
Chernekov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Chernekov seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Chernekov is taking a breather. Rossi says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Chernekov tries to stand and escape but Rossi is controlling the position.
Chernekov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rossi on the ground.

Chernekov decides to stand up.

Chernekov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rossi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rossi is trying to get back to full guard.
Rossi tries to kick Chernekov off but Chernekov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Chernekov is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Rossi manages to get to full guard.
Chernekov trying to control the position from guard on top but Rossi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rossi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rossi is trying to keep Chernekov in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chernekov prevents Rossi from getting back to his feet.
Chernekov wants to get up but he can't break Rossi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Rossi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Chernekov feints and as Rossi raises his hands in defense, Chernekov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rossi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Chernekov stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chernekov throws a right hand that Rossi ducks under and follows up with a left that Rossi also avoids with ease.
Rossi slips a straight right by Chernekov.
Rossi looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Rossi stuffs the takedown attempt from Chernekov. Chernekov gets slowly back to his feet.
Chernekov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Chernekov tries to bum rush Rossi with a series of wild strikes but Rossi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Chernekov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Chernekov scores with a three punch combo!
Chernekov dips to his left and cracks Rossi with an uppercut!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Chernekov dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rossi blocks a leg kick.
Aleksandr Chernekov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rossi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Chernekov, pushing him back against the ropes.
Rossi prevents Chernekov from breaking the clinch.
Chernekov tries to score a body lock takedown but Rossi shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Chernekov prevents the takedown attempt.

Chernekov is trying to trip Rossi. He has hold of a leg but Rossi is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Chernekov persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Rossi bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Chernekov's guard.
Chernekov wants to stand and escape but Rossi is having none of it.
Rossi is looking to stand up but Chernekov won't let him.
Rossi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rossi stands and throws Chernekov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Rossi throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Rossi throws a strike aimed at the side of Chernekov's head but Chernekov avoids it well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Rossi is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Chernekov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chernekov is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Rossi has just dragged him back down to the mat.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Some wild striking there from Chernekov.
Rossi keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Chernekov is looking to chop away at Rossi's legs.
Chernekov stuns Rossi with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rossi takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Chernekov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Rossi looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Rossi tries to bench press Chernekov off him but Chernekov keeps the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chernekov wants to stand but Rossi has his arm trapped.
Rossi is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Chernekov is controlling him well.
Rossi is trying to get back to half guard.
Chernekov controls the position.
Chernekov working away.

Chernekov goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Rossi rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Chernekov's guard! Nice work there by Rossi!
Chernekov looking for a sweep. Not yet Chernekov, not yet.
Chernekov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rossi wants to control from the top but Chernekov keeps moving.
Chernekov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Chernekov tries to get out of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rossi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Chernekov is keeping the position for now.
Rossi slips nicely into half guard.
Rossi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Chernekov defending well though.
Rossi not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rossi trying to control the action but Chernekov is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Chernekov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Chernekov connects with a solid leg kick.
Chernekov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Chernekov moves into the clinch.
Chernekov is trying to break free.
Rossi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Chernekov.

Rossi gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Chernekov is refusing to be controlled, as Rossi sits in half guard.

Chernekov pushes Rossi off and gets back to his feet.
Rossi keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Rossi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Chernekov throws and low kick but Rossi moves out of range easily.
Alberto Rossi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rossi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Chernekov doesn't manage to clinch there - Rossi circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Aleksandr Chernekov.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Chernekov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aleksandr Chernekov!