PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between John Deurell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saul Alvarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alvarez has chosen Survivor - 'Burning Heart' as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Saul Alvarez was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Deurell
vs
Alvarez

165 cm
30
165 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

175 cm
26
163 lbs
8 - 8 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Deurell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Saul Alvarez!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alvarez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Deurell.
Alvarez tries to clinch up but Deurell circles away and keeps his distance.
Deurell shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Alvarez but Alvarez pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Alvarez has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Deurell slips a jab and a cross from Alvarez.
Alvarez on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Deurell blocks a leg kick.
Deurell keeps the fight on the outside.
Deurell shoots in for a takedown but Alvarez shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Deurell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Deurell is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Alvarez.
Alvarez throws a low kick but it's checked well by Deurell.
Deurell takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Deurell throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Alvarez's waist but Alvarez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Deurell off to one side.
Deurell definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Alvarez throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deurell slips a jab from Alvarez.
Deurell shoots in but no luck this time.
Alvarez fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Deurell on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Alvarez. Alvarez obviously looking to wear him down.
Alvarez connects with a leg kick. Deurell looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Deurell misses with a takedown attempt - Alvarez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Alvarez tries to clinch but Deurell moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Alvarez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
John Deurell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Alvarez throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Deurell on the side of the head.
Deurell shoots for a double leg takedown but Alvarez sprawls well. He's pushed Deurell's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
No luck for Deurell with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deurell shoots for a takedown but Alvarez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A leg kick checked by Deurell.
Deurell dives in for a single leg takedown but Alvarez sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Alvarez will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Deurell up against the cage.
Alvarez can't find room to land a body shot as Deurell controls the action.
Alvarez lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Alvarez is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Deurell tries to pull guard but Alvarez holds him up against the cage and eventually Deurell drops back down to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Alvarez crunches a lovely knee into Deurell's ribcage.
Deurell wants to take the fight to the mat but Alvarez manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Deurell is trying to drag Alvarez to the mat but Alvarez just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Alvarez unloads a knee to the mid-section. Deurell lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Deurell tries to pull guard but Alvarez won't allow it.
Alvarez lands a shoulder strike.
Deurell fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Alvarez lands with a light punch inside.

Alvarez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Deurell rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Alvarez counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Deurell connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Deurell keeps the fight on the outside.
Alvarez throws out a powerful jab.
Deurell goes for a double leg but Alvarez avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Alvarez continues to drive forward.
Alvarez leaning against his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Alvarez gets underhooks to prevent Deurell's takedown attempt.
Deurell fails to pull guard.
Alvarez avoiding damage.
Deurell is trying to drag Alvarez to the mat but Alvarez just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Alvarez lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Deurell takes a knee right on the jaw!

Deurell pulls guard effortlessly.

Deurell looking for a guillotine here but Alvarez defends easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alvarez trying to control the position from guard on top but Deurell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saul Alvarez dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Deurell shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Deurell showed some decent athleticism there.
Alvarez is trying to maintain the position but Deurell is very close to passing his half guard.
Deurell is trying to control. Alvarez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Deurell missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Alvarez can do anything to dispel that myth.
Deurell content to control rather than advance.
Deurell is trying to control. Alvarez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Deurell sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Alvarez defending well though.
Alvarez is trying to get back to full guard.
Deurell controlling the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up because John Deurell just wasn't active enough.

Deurell shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Alvarez's guard.
Deurell wants to control from the top but Alvarez keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deurell loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Alvarez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Deurell. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Alvarez is trying to control the position but Deurell postures up.
Deurell trying to control the position from guard on top but Alvarez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Deurell being controlled here momentarily.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Saul Alvarez wasn't active enough on the ground.
Alvarez misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez gets caught flat footed, as Deurell shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Deurell trying to control but Alvarez is working from the bottom.
Deurell trying to move into half guard but instead Alvarez has managed to sweep!
Deurell is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Deurell seems keen to control Alvarez's posture.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

John Deurell has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Alvarez throws a leg kick but Deurell moved away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deurell feints a jab promting Alvarez to slip. Deurell then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Alvarez slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Deurell throws a hook but Alvarez avoids it easily.

Deurell drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Deurell wants to lay and pray for a moment but Alvarez keeps working.
Alvarez can't do much from the bottom here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Deurell advances nicely into full mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Deurell dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Deurell closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Alvarez to the mat! Alvarez manages to get full guard.
Deurell engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Alvarez keeping moving, preventing Deurell from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Deurell accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Alvarez looking for a sweep. Not yet Alvarez, not yet.
Alvarez keeping moving, preventing Deurell from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because John Deurell wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Deurell shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Alvarez sprawls well. Alvarez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Deurell gets slowly back to his feet.
Alvarez takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Deurell closes the distance and clinches up with Alvarez, looking for a takedown. Deurell pushes Alvarez against the cage but Alvarez circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nice cross by Alvarez.
Deurell shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Alvarez sprawls well. Alvarez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Deurell gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Deurell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Deurell shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Alvarez defends it nicely.
Deurell swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez fakes the leg kick and cracks Deurell in the body.

Deurell looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Deurell trying to control but Alvarez is working from the bottom.
Alvarez looking for a sweep. Not yet Alvarez, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez working a defensive guard here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Deurell uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Alvarez.
Alvarez leaves Deurell with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Alvarez scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Deurell shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Deurell wants to work for an arm triangle but Alvarez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deurell thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Alvarez's head.
Deurell missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Deurell wants to pass the guard but Alvarez is defending well.
Deurell wants to control but Alvarez is keeping him busy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Alvarez is looking to control Deurell's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Alvarez avoid being mounted?
Deurell is trying to control the action in half guard but Alvarez is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Deurell showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Deurell 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Deurell!