PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nick Alvarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky Ponting (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Alvarez
vs
Ponting

191 cm
38
183 lbs
24 - 15 - 1

170 cm
39
160 lbs
30 - 26 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 24 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Nick Alvarez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 26 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Ricky Ponting!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The crowd cheers as Ponting lands an impressive looking overhand right. Alvarez doesn't seem phased though.
Alvarez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ponting pinned against the cage. Ponting gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ponting stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ponting wants it to stay on the feet.
Ponting connects with a body shot that sends Alvarez's belly button to the back.
Alvarez rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ponting counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Alvarez shoots in for a double leg but Ponting sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Alvarez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alvarez is looking to clinch.
Ponting waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Alvarez.
Ponting scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Alvarez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ponting manages to avoid it.
Ponting loads up on a big right hand but Alvarez slips the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ponting throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Alvarez keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ponting.
Alvarez wants to clinch
and Ponting counters with a right hand to the body.
Alvarez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ponting avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponting misses the jab.
Sloppy strikes from Ponting. Those never looked like landing.
Alvarez swings for the body but Ponting moves out of range.

Alvarez closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ponting wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Alvarez has him pressed against the cage.

Ponting breaks the clinch.
Alvarez moves out of range of the strikes.
Ponting is looking to score with low kicks.
Ponting looks to land a right hand but Alvarez moved out of range.
Alvarez misses with a head kick.
Ponting misses the jab.
As Ponting tries to get set, Alvarez tries to push him back and clinch up but Ponting manages to avoid the attempt.
Ponting misses the shot to the body.
Alvarez is looking to counter the offense by Ponting and move into the clinch.

Alvarez has managed to clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Ponting's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ponting wants to get back to striking at distance but Alvarez won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez jumps into guard, dragging Ponting to the mat.
Ponting missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Alvarez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Alvarez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ponting postures up in Alvarez's guard and throws a big left but Alvarez blocks it.
Ponting with a flurry of punches that miss.
Alvarez wants to sweep here but Ponting controlling him for the moment.
Ponting with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Ponting has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ponting trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Alvarez controlling Ponting's posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ponting distracts Alvarez with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ponting loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Alvarez is looking to stand up but Ponting isn't so interested in that idea.
Ponting distracts Alvarez with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Alvarez pulls Ponting in close to his closed guard and prevents Ponting from doing any damage or advancing position.
Alvarez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ponting is one step ahead there.

Ponting avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Ponting avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ponting tries to free his leg and advance position but Alvarez is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ponting distracts Alvarez with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ponting in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ponting postures up.
Ponting won't allow Alvarez to get back to his feet.
Ponting wants to pass the guard but Alvarez is keeping the position.
Ponting trying to control but Alvarez is working from the bottom.
Ponting wants to pass the guard but Alvarez is keeping the position.
Alvarez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ponting's guard.

Alvarez postures up.
Alvarez trying to control but Ponting is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Ponting dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Alvarez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Alvarez takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Alvarez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Ponting. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Alvarez moves into the clinch.
Alvarez keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ponting's efforts to push away.
Alvarez taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Ponting misses with a hook to the ribs.

Alvarez pulls guard successfully.
Alvarez wants to sweep here but Ponting controlling him for the moment.
Alvarez throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Alvarez is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
A frustrated look appears on Ponting's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ponting tries to circle away but Alvarez has him pinned against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponting lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Alvarez keeps control of Ponting as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Alvarez turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Alvarez manages to end up in side control.

Ponting throws Alvarez to one side and escapes!
Ponting swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nick Alvarez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ponting is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Alvarez.
A counter left hand to the body from Alvarez misses its target.
Ponting fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ponting has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ponting dips to his left and cracks Alvarez with an uppercut!

Alvarez throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Ponting tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Alvarez is in Ponting's guard.
Alvarez looking to pass the guard.
Ponting looking to control.
Ponting seems keen to control Alvarez's posture.
Alvarez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ponting swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ponting looking for a sweep. Not yet Ponting, not yet.

Ponting looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Alvarez has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Ponting is proving hard to escape from.

Ponting is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Alvarez defends well.
Alvarez working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ponting's head.

Ponting has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Alvarez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ponting looking for a sweep. Not yet Ponting, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ponting has control of Alvarez's left arm, preventing Alvarez from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ponting looking for a guillotine here but Alvarez defends easily.
Ponting looking to control.
Alvarez is fighting to break Ponting's control of his arms but Ponting is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Alvarez showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Alvarez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Ponting sneaks out the side door and pushes Alvarez away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez shoots for a takedown but Ponting saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ponting stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ponting wants it to stay on the feet.
Ponting swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Alvarez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ricky Ponting seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Alvarez closes the distance and clinches.
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!
Alvarez misses with a punch to the body.
Ponting tries to break free but Alvarez pushes him back against the cage.
Alvarez just leaning against Ponting, taking a breather.
Alvarez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ponting avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ricky Ponting will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Alvarez has a takedown stuffed.
Alvarez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ponting manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Alvarez tries to clinch but Ponting is having none of it.
Alvarez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ponting as he jumps to the side.
Alvarez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ponting sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Alvarez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alvarez shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ponting as he avoids it easily.
Ponting throws a leg kick but Alvarez sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ponting throws a series of punches but Alvarez moves out of range.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Ponting!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alvarez fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ricky Ponting seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ponting throws out a loose jab but Alvarez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ponting throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Alvarez sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Alvarez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ponting manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Alvarez moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez goes for a double leg but Ponting avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ponting continues to drive forward.
Alvarez on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ponting scores with a hook to the body. Alvarez takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ponting cracks Alvarez with a good jab.
Ponting swats away the attempt to clinch by Alvarez.

Alvarez closes the distance and clinches.
Alvarez looking for a takedown.

Ponting breaks from the clinch.
Ponting is looking to score with low kicks.
Alvarez attempts a counter takedown but Ponting avoids it well and moves away.
Ponting throws a series of strikes that have Alvarez backpedaling.
Alvarez fails in his attempt to clinch.
Alvarez defending well as Ponting loads up on a big left hand.
Ponting slaps away a takedown attempt from Alvarez, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ponting lands a jab to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ponting throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A little feinted left hand from Alvarez on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ponting throws an overhand right that lands on Alvarez's shoulder, as Alvarez tries to avoid the shot.
Alvarez is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Ponting.
Ponting paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Alvarez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ponting's waist but Ponting gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Alvarez off to one side.
Ponting throws a hook but Alvarez avoids it easily.
Alvarez tries to clinch but Ponting moves out of range.
Ponting looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ponting misses with an uppercut.
Ponting will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ponting swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Alvarez.
No joy there for Ponting, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Ponting scores with a jab to the head.
Alvarez wants to clinch.
Alvarez lands a jab-cross combination.
Ponting lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Alvarez.
Ponting moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Alvarez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ponting moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Alvarez tries to close the distance and clinch but Ponting swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez moves into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Alvarez.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Ponting breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Alvarez tries to close the distance and clinch but Ponting swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Alvarez moves out of range of the body kick from Ponting.
A little feinted left hand from Alvarez on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ponting scores with a one two! Alvarez had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Alvarez tries to close the distance and clinch but Ponting swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ponting throws a nice looking combination but Alvarez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ponting slaps away a takedown attempt from Alvarez, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nick Alvarez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ponting misses with a series of wild punches.
Ponting lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Alvarez circles away quickly and effectively.
Ponting throws a combination. Alvarez tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky Ponting comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ponting winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricky Ponting!
A relieved looking Ricky Ponting thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.