PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexey Alexandrov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bagatar Hetagurov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexey Alexandrov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Bagatar Hetagurov's chin.

Alexandrov
vs
Hetagurov

192 cm
23
200 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

186 cm
23
197 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexey Alexandrov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Bagatar Hetagurov!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Radbod Blank and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alexandrov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hetagurov avoids it really well and circles away.
Hetagurov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hetagurov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Alexandrov shoots in looking for a takedown but Hetagurov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Alexandrov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Hetagurov clinches with his opponent.
Alexandrov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hetagurov trying to land knees to the body.
Hetagurov misses with a knee to the head.

Hetagurov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alexandrov misses with a takedown
and Hetagurov counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexey Alexandrov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alexandrov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hetagurov throws a nice head kick!

It looks like Alexey Alexandrov has been cut.
Alexandrov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hetagurov throws out the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alexandrov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Hetagurov napping and manages to drive through into side control!
You can see the frustration on Hetagurov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Alexandrov working the head and body with strikes.
Alexandrov wants to control but Hetagurov is keeping him busy.
Alexandrov lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Alexandrov in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Hetagurov gets back to half guard.
Hetagurov wants to control but Alexandrov is keeping busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alexandrov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Alexandrov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hetagurov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hetagurov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hetagurov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hetagurov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
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!
Alexandrov throwing strikes but missing.
Hetagurov looking to control.

Hetagurov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Alexandrov defends it easily.
Alexandrov lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Hetagurov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Alexandrov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

It looks like Bagatar Hetagurov has been cut.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Alexandrov preventing the sweep.
Hetagurov keeping moving, preventing Alexandrov from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov works over Hetagurov with some ground and pound from guard.
Alexandrov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Hetagurov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hetagurov keeping moving, preventing Alexandrov from controlling successfully.
Hetagurov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hetagurov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Alexandrov tries to free his leg and advance position but Hetagurov is retaining full guard.
Hetagurov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Alexandrov is one step ahead there.
Hetagurov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Alexandrov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hetagurov 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov lands a couple of elbows.
Hetagurov wants to sweep here but Alexandrov controlling him for the moment.
Alexandrov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hetagurov has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Condor Training. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Alexandrov landing with the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Alexandrov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Alexandrov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hetagurov's head.
Hetagurov working a defensive guard here.
We've been hearing that Alexandrov has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Alexandrov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Alexandrov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Alexandrov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Alexandrov trying to control but Hetagurov is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexey Alexandrov dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hetagurov throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

Alexandrov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Hetagurov wants to stand back up but Alexandrov manages to pass into side control.
Hetagurov is looking to reverse the position.
Alexandrov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Hetagurov to see if he's OK.
Hetagurov sneaks back into half guard.
Hetagurov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Alexandrov.
Nice strikes from Alexandrov there.
Alexandrov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hetagurov is pressing down on Alexandrov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Hetagurov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hetagurov 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexandrov tries to free his leg and advance position but Hetagurov is retaining full guard.
Alexandrov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hetagurov's head.
Alexandrov throws an elbow that misses. Hetagurov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Alexandrov's guard. Nice move by Hetagurov!

Hetagurov wants to control from the top but Alexandrov keeps moving.
Alexandrov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hetagurov trying to control but Alexandrov is working from the bottom.
Alexandrov pulls Hetagurov in close to prevent any damage.
Alexandrov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hetagurov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Alexandrov is keeping the position for now.
Alexandrov is controlling Hetagurov's posture.
Alexandrov looking for a sweep. Not yet Alexandrov, not yet.
Alexandrov keeping moving, preventing Hetagurov from controlling successfully.
Alexandrov wants to sweep but no luck.
Alexey Alexandrov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hetagurov throws a head kick but Alexandrov moves out of range.
Alexandrov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hetagurov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Alexandrov somewhat.
Bagatar Hetagurov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hetagurov's waist but Hetagurov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Alexandrov off to one side.
Hetagurov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Hetagurov misses with a body kick.
Alexandrov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hetagurov throws out the jab.
Alexandrov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hetagurov.
Hetagurov lands a nice looking body shot.
Hetagurov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Alexandrov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hetagurov defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexey Alexandrov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alexandrov looks for a takedown but Hetagurov sprawls well.
Hetagurov replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Alexandrov blocks it well.
Hetagurov thows a body kick. Alexandrov tries to catch it but that hurt him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hetagurov, right into the meat.

Hetagurov moves into the clinch successfully.
Alexandrov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Alexandrov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hetagurov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hetagurov looking to throw knees to the head but Alexandrov is blocking nicely.
Alexandrov has a couple of punches blocked by Hetagurov.
Hetagurov looking to stall.
Alexandrov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Good body shot from Alexandrov.
Hetagurov prevents a takedown attempt there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Alexandrov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hetagurov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hetagurov.
Alexandrov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Alexandrov is working for takedown but Hetagurov is calmly controlling the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bagatar Hetagurov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Alexandrov shoots in looking for a takedown but Hetagurov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Alexandrov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Alexandrov blocks a head kick by Hetagurov.
Hetagurov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Alexandrov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hetagurov defends well and Alexandrov ends up having to push Hetagurov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hetagurov.
Left hook, right uppercut from Hetagurov.
Alexandrov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexey Alexandrov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hetagurov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hetagurov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Bagatar Hetagurov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alexandrov dives in and grabs Hetagurov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hetagurov pushes down on Alexandrov's head and hops out.
Alexandrov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Alexandrov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hetagurov lands with a kick to the ribs.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hetagurov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hetagurov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hetagurov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Alexandrov's head.
A bone on bone clash there as Alexandrov blocks the leg kick.
Alexandrov shoots and misses
and Hetagurov counters with a thumping low kick.
Hetagurov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Alexandrov misses the target.
Hetagurov scoring well with a low kick there.
Alexandrov dives in for a single leg takedown but Hetagurov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Hetagurov looks to land a combination but Alexandrov avoids it well.
A little feinted left hand from Alexandrov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Jab, jab by Hetagurov - just one landing.
A good leg kick by Hetagurov.

Alexandrov darts in and clinches Hetagurov up against the cage.
Hetagurov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hetagurov working Alexandrov over with knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hetagurov misses with a knee strike.
Alexandrov tries to throw a body punch but Hetagurov avoids it by throwing Alexandrov back against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hetagurov lands a nice uppercut.
Alexandrov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Alexandrov tries a body shot but Hetagurov blocks it.
Hetagurov stops a takedown attempt from Alexandrov.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hetagurov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hetagurov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hetagurov has Alexandrov pressed against the cage.

Hetagurov manages to break the clinch.
Hetagurov connects with an inside leg kick.
Hetagurov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hetagurov throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Alexandrov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hetagurov tried to score with a low kick but Alexandrov checks it.
Alexandrov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hetagurov swivels and escapes.
Hetagurov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hetagurov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Alexandrov's sensitive parts.
Hetagurov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Alexandrov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hetagurov lands with a hook. Alexandrov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hetagurov as he avoids it easily.
Alexandrov looks for a takedown but Hetagurov sprawls well.
Alexandrov takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Hetagurov moves into range and clinches up with Alexandrov.
Alexandrov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hetagurov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Alexandrov tries to score a body lock takedown but Hetagurov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hetagurov slowing the pace effectively.
A short uppercut from Hetagurov.
Hetagurov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hetagurov stalling in the clinch.
Hetagurov misses with a knee strike.
Alexandrov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hetagurov missing with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hetagurov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Alexandrov blocks it with crossed arms.
Hetagurov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Alexandrov tries to work over Hetagurov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hetagurov leaning against his opponent.
Hetagurov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Alexandrov backwards.
Alexandrov misses with the head strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hetagurov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A bit of stalling here from Hetagurov.
Alexandrov lands a body punch in the clinch.
Alexandrov prevents a body shot from Hetagurov.
Alexandrov tries for a takedown but Hetagurov manages to get underhooks.
Hetagurov tries to land a knee to the head but Alexandrov blocks with his arms.

Hetagurov breaks the clinch.
Hetagurov tries to land a leg kick but Alexandrov saw it coming and moves away.
Hetagurov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bagatar Hetagurov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hetagurov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 27:29
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bagatar Hetagurov!
Our winner, Bagatar Hetagurov, 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.