PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksander Titov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrei Arlovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Titov
vs
Arlovski

191 cm
22
215 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

194 cm
22
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksander Titov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrei Arlovski!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Titov fails with a takedown attempt.
Titov shoots in for a takedown but Arlovski shows good takedown defense.
Titov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Arlovski pinned against the cage. Arlovski gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksander Titov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Arlovski moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Aleksander Titov has been cut.

Arlovski pushes Titov up against the cage in a clinch.
Titov fails to pull guard.
Arlovski stops a takedown attempt from Titov.
Titov stops a takedown attempt from Arlovski.
Arlovski is trying to break free.

Titov turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Arlovski is looking to regain half guard here but Titov keeps moving and retains side control.
Arlovski prevents Titov from moving into mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Arlovski is looking to regain half guard here but Titov keeps moving and retains side control.
Arlovski pushes Titov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Titov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Titov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Arlovski struggling a bit here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arlovski is looking for a sweep.

Titov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Arlovski is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Titov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Arlovski but Arlovski pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Titov is breathing heavily.

Arlovski has closed the distance and engaged Titov in a clinch.
Arlovski wants to break free but Titov has control.
Good body shot from Arlovski.
Arlovski wants to get back to striking at distance but Titov won't allow it.
Arlovski can't break the clinch.

Arlovski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Left hook, right uppercut from Arlovski.
Titov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Arlovski pinned against the cage. Arlovski gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nice combo by Arlovski! Oh, that's hurt him - Titov falls to the canvas and Arlovski follows him into side control.
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!
Titov is looking to regain half guard here but Arlovski keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Arlovski decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Arlovski throws out a powerful jab.

Arlovski gets a clinch.
Arlovski wants to get back to striking at distance but Titov won't allow it.
Titov prevents Arlovski from breaking the clinch.
Titov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Arlovski tries to stall but Titov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Titov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Arlovski pulls his leg out and moves away.
Arlovski throws a combination. Titov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
A punch combination from Arlovski misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski tries to close the distance and clinch up but Titov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Titov blocks a head kick by Arlovski.
Titov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Arlovski's waist but Arlovski gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Titov off to one side.
Arlovski lands a body shot.
Titov dodges the punch combination from Arlovski.
Arlovski stuffs the takedown.
Titov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Arlovski pinned against the cage. Arlovski gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Arlovski throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Arlovski looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Titov.
Nice sprawl there from Arlovski as Titov shoots in.
Titov darts in trying to clinch
and Arlovski counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Andrei Arlovski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Titov shoots in for a takedown but Arlovski shows good takedown defense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Arlovski clinches up against the cage.
Arlovski lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Titov or not.
Titov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Arlovski pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Titov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Titov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Titov tries to pull guard but Arlovski won't allow it.
Titov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Arlovski gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Titov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Arlovski fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Arlovski!
Titov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Arlovski's waist but Arlovski gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Titov off to one side.
Titov misses with a takedown attempt

and Arlovski counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Arlovski lands a shot to the body.

Titov successfully pulls guard.

Titov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Arlovski avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrei Arlovski dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aleksander Titov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Arlovski goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Titov dodges the punch combination from Arlovski.
Arlovski throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Titov.

Titov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Arlovski sprawls well initially but Titov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Titov works his way into full mount!

Titov wants to finish this one by submission but Arlovski is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Titov.
Arlovski working to try and regain half guard.
Titov lands a heavy elbow.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Titov connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Titov dominating with strikes here.

Titov has control of Arlovski's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Arlovski regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Titov scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Arlovski?
Titov landing punches.
Titov working the ground and pound effectively.
Arlovski is looking to improve his position but Titov isn't that keen on the idea.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Arlovski can do anything to dispel that myth.
Titov connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Titov lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Titov lands a big shot there that rocks Arlovski but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Titov landing strikes from the mount.
Titov in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Titov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Titov throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Titov avoids the attempt from Arlovski to control.

Titov is going olschool here, as he tries to force Arlovski to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Arlovski shrugs it off.
Arlovski takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Arlovski tries to hold on but Titov pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Titov lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Titov tries to control but Arlovski wriggling away.
Titov connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Titov lands a big shot there that rocks Arlovski but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Arlovski tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Titov with good strikes from the mount here!
Titov throws some wild stikes that Arlovski manages to avoid easily.
Arlovski is looking to get to half guard.
Titov unloads with some shots from mount but Arlovski bucks and avoids them well.
Arlovski wants to hold on but Titov pushes him away.
Titov is landing with some decent strikes but Arlovski is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Arlovski trying desperately to get to his feet.
Titov landing punches.
Titov landing strikes, looking to finish!
Arlovski is trying desperately to improve position.
Titov postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Arlovski looks a forlorn figure.
Titov lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Arlovski hang on?

Titov is going olschool here, as he tries to force Arlovski to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Arlovski shrugs it off.
Titov with a couple of short strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksander Titov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Aleksander Titov's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Titov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Arlovski to score with a decent uppercut.

Arlovski has managed to clinch.
Titov can't get the takedown.
Arlovski wants to get back to striking at distance but Titov won't allow it.
Arlovski stops a takedown attempt from Titov.
Titov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Arlovski avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksander Titov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Titov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Arlovski prevents it.
Arlovski stalls.

Arlovski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Arlovski rushes Titov and presses him up against the cage.
Arlovski is pressed up against the cage. Titov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Arlovski down to the mat. Arlovski avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Titov shoots in looking for a takedown. Arlovski tries to sprawl out of it but Titov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Arlovski manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Arlovski clinches up with Titov and pushes him back against the cage.
Good body shot from Arlovski.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Arlovski is working Titov over against the cage.

Arlovski jumps guard.
Titov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Titov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Arlovski has control of Titov's left arm, preventing Titov from doing any damage.
Arlovski looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Arlovski is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Titov advances to half guard.
Arlovski gets full guard.

Titov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Titov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Titov stands and throws Arlovski's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Arlovski gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Titov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Arlovski is trying to stand.

Titov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Arlovski looks like he's trying to stand up.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Arlovski is holding on to half guard well.
Titov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Titov fails with a takedown attempt.
Arlovski throws a combination. Titov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Andrei Arlovski seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Titov wants to clinch
and Arlovski counters with a stiff right hand.
Titov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Titov is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Arlovski works over Titov's head and body with a nice combination.
Titov shoots for a double leg takedown but Arlovski sprawls well. He's pushed Titov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Titov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Arlovski counters with a one-two to the body.
Arlovski is looking to clinch but Titov is avoiding it.
Titov fails with a takedown attempt.

Titov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Titov misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Titov looking to finish with strikes here!
Arlovski avoids a series of strikes thrown by Titov.
Titov looking to finish with strikes here!
Titov landing strikes from the mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrei Arlovski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Arlovski 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrei Arlovski!