PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alex Alvarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arnost Paskalev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alvarez kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Daft Punk - Giorgio By Moroder. Paskalev comes into a darkened arena with his song building. The Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Alvarez
vs
Paskalev

165 cm
24
152 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

173 cm
24
153 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)
//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

SP Ultimate Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alex Alvarez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Arnost Paskalev!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Shirou Masuda and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alvarez blocks a low kick nicely.
Alvarez is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Alvarez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Paskalev.
Paskalev has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Alvarez is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Alvarez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Jab by Alvarez.
Paskalev tries a low kick but Alvarez avoids it.
Alvarez throws a shot from downtown. Paskalev moves away and avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paskalev looks to land a body kick but Alvarez moved away.
A telegraphed right hand from Paskalev misses the target.
Good leg kick by Paskalev there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paskalev tests Alvarez's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Alvarez feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Paskalev's calf.
Nice sprawl there from Alvarez as Paskalev shoots in.
Alvarez is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Paskalev scores with a nice strike.
Paskalev shoots for a takedown but Alvarez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Alex Alvarez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arnost Paskalev.
Paskalev moves out of range of the body kick.

Paskalev gets a double leg takedown into Alvarez's guard.
Paskalev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Alvarez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Paskalev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Paskalev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Paskalev trying to control the position from guard on top but Alvarez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev stopping the sweep attempt from Alvarez.
Paskalev controls from within his opponent's guard.
Paskalev wants to control from the top but Alvarez keeps moving.
Alvarez 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.
Paskalev trying to control but Alvarez is working from the bottom.

Alvarez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Paskalev postures up.
Alvarez keeping moving, preventing Paskalev from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Alvarez lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Alvarez wants to pass the guard but Paskalev is keeping the position.
Paskalev lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Paskalev trying to control the position from guard on top but Alvarez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Alvarez is on top in guard.

Paskalev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Paskalev keeping moving, preventing Alvarez from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez preventing the sweep.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Paskalev is on top in guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Alvarez wants to improve his position but instead Paskalev has moved into half guard.
Alvarez works his way to full guard. Good work.
Paskalev preventing the sweep.
Paskalev wants to pass the guard but Alvarez is keeping the position.
Alvarez working a defensive guard here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Paskalev wants to control from the top but Alvarez keeps moving.
Paskalev looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Arnost Paskalev 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.

Paskalev attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Alvarez avoids the body shot from Paskalev.
Paskalev attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Alvarez throws a nice inside leg kick.
Paskalev tries a low kick but Alvarez avoids it.
Alvarez attempts a counter takedown but Paskalev avoids it well and moves away.
The fighters circling - Alvarez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Paskalev lands a jab to the nose.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paskalev darts in looking for a takedown but Alvarez gets double underhooks and turns Paskalev into the cage.
Paskalev attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Paskalev shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Alvarez. Paskalev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Paskalev throws a body shot but no joy.
Alvarez drops down looking for a counter takedown but Paskalev sprawls and moves away.
Paskalev tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Alvarez is able to avoid easily.
Alvarez misses with an uppercut.
And Paskalev tries to counter it with a takedown but Alvarez pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Paskalev throws the kick towards the body but Alvarez avoids it.
Paskalev lands with a thumping leg kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Alvarez, as that shot connected.
Alvarez shoots in looking for a takedown but Paskalev manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Alvarez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Arnost Paskalev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Alvarez jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev connects with a crisp jab.
Paskalev misses with a leg kick

and Alvarez counters with a shoot takedown. Paskalev fights it but they end up in guard.
Paskalev looking to control.

Paskalev isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Alvarez stacks Paskalev 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 Alvarez!
Paskalev tries to buck Alvarez off but Alvarez is having none of it.
This has been an exciting period of action!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev manages to get back to half guard.
Paskalev wants to get back to full guard.
Alvarez is looking to advance position but Paskalev won't allow it.
Paskalev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Alvarez wants to pass the guard but Paskalev is defending well.
Alvarez wants to take a breather but Paskalev is having none of it.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Alvarez is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Paskalev!
Paskalev keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Alvarez tries to control but Paskalev wriggling away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alvarez is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Paskalev is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Alvarez dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Alvarez misses with a wild body shot.
Paskalev misses with a body shot.
Alvarez drops down looking for a counter takedown but Paskalev sprawls and moves away.
No luck for Paskalev with that takedown attempt.
A bone on bone clash there as Alvarez blocks the leg kick.
Paskalev swings for the body but Alvarez moves out of range.
Alvarez checks a leg kick nicely.
Alvarez half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paskalev misses the jab.
Alvarez tries to work over Paskalev's front leg with a kick but Paskalev checks it.
Arnost Paskalev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paskalev misses the body punch

and Alvarez counters with a single leg into guard. Paskalev didn't expect that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez preventing the sweep.
Paskalev looking to control.

Paskalev looking for subs off his back but Alvarez has passed one foot through into half guard.
Paskalev tries to get to full guard but Alvarez has control of the leg.
Alex Alvarez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Paskalev gets back to full guard.
Paskalev is trying to control the position but Alvarez postures up.
Alvarez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Paskalev keeping moving, preventing Alvarez from controlling successfully.
Paskalev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Alvarez is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Alvarez trying to control the position from guard on top but Paskalev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Paskalev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Alvarez.
And Paskalev tries to counter it with a takedown but Alvarez pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good work by Paskalev as he checks the leg kick.
Paskalev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Alvarez as he jumps to the side.
Alvarez fails with the takedown.
Paskalev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Paskalev lands an overhand right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Alvarez. Paskalev does a little dance to reset his feet.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Paskalev checks a leg kick.
Alvarez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Paskalev.
Alvarez throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Paskalev slips under a jab from Alvarez.
Paskalev is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Paskalev looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Alvarez connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Paskalev just misses with a punch to the body.
Alvarez slaps away a takedown attempt from Paskalev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Alvarez clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Paskalev looks for a takedown but Alvarez sprawls well.
Alvarez feinted with a counter takedown.
Alvarez tries a head kick but it misses.
Alvarez throws an overhand right that lands on Paskalev's shoulder, as Paskalev tries to avoid the shot.
Alvarez slips under a jab.
Alvarez takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paskalev misses the jab.
Paskalev misses the shot to the body.
Alvarez appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Paskalev dives in and grabs Alvarez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Alvarez pushes down on Paskalev's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paskalev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Alvarez throws out the jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Alvarez misses the target.
Paskalev throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Paskalev ducks under a wild hook from Alvarez.
Alvarez defending well as Paskalev loads up on a big left hand.
Alvarez changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Paskalev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Alvarez as he avoids it easily.
Alex Alvarez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arnost Paskalev.
Paskalev lands a leg kick that knocks Alvarez off balance momentarily.
Alvarez scores with a sloppy right hand. Paskalev should have avoided that one.
Paskalev finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Alvarez half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A big left from Paskalev misses.
Paskalev is looking to score with low kicks.
Alvarez attempts a counter takedown but Paskalev avoids it well and moves away.
Alvarez misses with a low kick.
Paskalev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Alvarez throwing a counter right hand but Paskalev manages to avoid it.
Paskalev fails with the takedown
and Alvarez counters with an outside leg kick.
Alvarez connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez throws the left hand but Paskalev avoids the punch easily.
A clash of legs there as Alvarez blocks the low kick.
Paskalev throws an overhand right that lands on Alvarez's shoulder, as Alvarez tries to avoid the shot.
Alvarez is looking to slow Paskalev down with leg kicks.
Paskalev misses with a takedown attempt
and Alvarez counters with a good low kick that Paskalev was not able to check.
Alvarez uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Paskalev.
Alvarez feinted with a counter takedown.
Paskalev misses with a low kick.
Paskalev doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Alvarez is fending him off so far but Paskalev persists. Nope, Alvarez circles away and we're back to standing.
Alvarez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Alvarez stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Paskalev lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Paskalev. Alvarez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Alvarez thuds his right hand into Paskalev's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Paskalev, right into the meat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Paskalev looking to score a takedown here. Alvarez is defending well but Paskalev drives through and ends up in Alvarez's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
Paskalev trying to control but Alvarez is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Alex Alvarez 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Paskalev dives in and grabs Alvarez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Alvarez pushes down on Paskalev's head and hops out.
It looked like Alvarez was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Paskalev.
Paskalev moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Paskalev connects with a solid leg kick.
Paskalev throws a leg kick

and Alvarez counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Alvarez is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Paskalev reverses the position - he's now on top in Alvarez's guard.
Paskalev is looking to work some ground and pound but Alvarez has wrist control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paskalev postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Alvarez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Alvarez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Paskalev is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez can't keep his opponent in guard - Paskalev advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are battling for position here. Alvarez manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Paskalev passes Alvarez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Alvarez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Paskalev wants to free his trapped foot but Alvarez is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Paskalev is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Paskalev is looking to work some ground and pound but Alvarez has wrist control.
Alvarez keeping moving, preventing Paskalev from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Alvarez haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Paskalev won't allow Alvarez to sweep him here.
Paskalev wants to control from the top but Alvarez keeps moving.
Paskalev stopping the sweep attempt from Alvarez.
Alvarez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Paskalev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Alvarez is keeping the position for now.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Alvarez has Paskalev pulled in close to control his posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Paskalev throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Alvarez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Alvarez manages to avoid it.
Paskalev misses with a takedown attempt
and Alvarez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Alvarez stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Paskalev.
Alvarez misses with a kick to the body.
Paskalev throws an overhand right that lands on Alvarez's shoulder, as Alvarez tries to avoid the shot.
Paskalev shoots in looking for a takedown. Alvarez tries to sprawl out of it but Paskalev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Alvarez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Arnost Paskalev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alex Alvarez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arnost Paskalev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Paskalev tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Alvarez is in Paskalev's guard.
Paskalev wants to sweep here but Alvarez controlling him for the moment.
Alvarez wants to pass the guard but Paskalev is keeping the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alvarez trying to control the position from guard on top but Paskalev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Alvarez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Alvarez has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 49:46
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 49:46
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Alvarez!
Alex Alvarez retains his featherweight title!
Our winner, Alex Alvarez, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
In defeat, Arnost Paskalev stepped up to the mic, saying 'Honey Badger needs sleep now'.