PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Aleks Breznhev (ranked 2371 p4p, 246 weight class) and Santana Blaze (ranked 1917 p4p, 213 weight class). Breznhev comes to the cage accompanied by Death Grips - No Love. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Breznhev
vs
Blaze

161 cm
26
155 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

177 cm
33
143 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Aleks Breznhev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Santana Blaze!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Breznhev closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Blaze did well to prevent Breznhev getting side control.
Blaze has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Hard Knocks Training. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Blaze gets full guard.
Blaze being controlled here, momentarily.
Breznhev wants to control from the top but Blaze keeps moving.
Breznhev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Blaze trying to control the position.
Blaze really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Breznhev. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Blaze pushes Breznhev off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Blaze misses with a hook. Breznhev ducked under it nicely.
Breznhev attempts a counter takedown but Blaze avoids it well and moves away.
Breznhev has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Blackscar Fitness in the buildup to the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Breznhev gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Blaze counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A slow jab from Breznhev misses its intended target.
As Breznhev backs off Blaze throws a huge counter combo but Breznhev manages to avoid it all.
Breznhev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Blaze avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Breznhev scores with a sloppy right hand. Blaze should have avoided that one.
Blaze looks to land a combination but Breznhev avoids it well.
Santana Blaze is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Blaze stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Blaze wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleks Breznhev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Breznhev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Blaze sprawls well. Blaze wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Breznhev gets slowly back to his feet.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Blaze! But no joy.
Breznhev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Breznhev throws a body punch but Blaze moves out of range.
Blaze scores with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Breznhev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Blaze moves away.
Blaze keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Breznhev gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Blaze connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Breznhev throws the left hand but Blaze avoids the punch easily.
Breznhev has his takedown stuffed
and Blaze counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Breznhev fails with a takedown attempt.
Blaze's jab looks to have found its range, popping Breznhev under the eye.
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!

Breznhev closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blaze is looking to regain half guard here but Breznhev keeps moving and retains side control.
Breznhev in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Breznhev fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Blaze is trying to control Breznhev's posture but Breznhev avoids it.
Blaze is trying to improve his position.
Blaze is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Breznhev's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Blaze is refusing to be controlled, as Breznhev sits in half guard.
Breznhev winds up and cracks Blaze with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Blaze regains full guard. Nicely done.
Breznhev might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Blaze wants to get back to his feet but Breznhev is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Breznhev trying to control but Blaze is working from the bottom.
Breznhev wants to pass the guard but Blaze is keeping the position.
Breznhev wants to control from the top but Blaze keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Santana Blaze dominated 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.

This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Blaze.
Santana Blaze seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Breznhev misses with a right hand
and Blaze counters with a series of strikes. Breznhev will be more careful next time no doubt.
Blaze ducks under a wild hook from Breznhev.
Blaze is looking for the big counter here.
Breznhev gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Blaze to counter with a crisp jab.
Blaze slips under a jab from Breznhev.
Breznhev misses with a right hand
letting Blaze counter with a right hand.
Breznhev misses with a takedown attempt - Blaze sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Blaze lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blaze stalks Breznhev and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Breznhev's face. Breznhev staggers backwards, shaken.
Breznhev shoots in looking for a takedown but Blaze manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Breznhev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Blaze throws out a counter right but Breznhev avoids it with no problem.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleks Breznhev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Breznhev throws the left hand but Blaze avoids the punch easily.
Blaze is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Breznhev misses with a hook. Blaze ducked under it nicely.
Breznhev misses with a takedown attempt - Blaze sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Blaze let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Blaze has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Breznhev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Blaze sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Breznhev somewhat.
Breznhev misses with a body shot.
Blaze uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Breznhev.
Breznhev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Blaze is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Breznhev shoots for a takedown but Blaze saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Breznhev gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Blaze counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Breznhev fails with the takedown.
No joy there for Blaze, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Breznhev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Breznhev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Blaze swivels and escapes.
Breznhev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Blaze looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Breznhev shoots in for a double leg but Blaze sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Breznhev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Blaze sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Breznhev somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blaze scores with a jab. Breznhev acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Breznhev looks for a takedown but Blaze sprawls well.
Breznhev shoots for a double leg takedown but Blaze sprawls well. He's pushed Breznhev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nice shot lands for Blaze.
Breznhev fails with the takedown
and Blaze counters with a nice uppercut.
No joy there for Blaze, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Breznhev dodges the punch combination from Blaze.
Blaze leaves Breznhev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Blaze unleashes a big counter combination but Breznhev bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Santana Blaze is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Breznhev with a lazy takedown attempt
and Blaze counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Blaze lands with a nice body punch.
Blaze has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Breznhev throws a predictable looking body shot
and Blaze cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Blaze might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Blaze smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Breznhev takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Breznhev moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Breznhev looks for a takedown but Blaze sprawls well.
Nice takedown defense from Blaze. No joy for Breznhev on that attempt.
Breznhev takes a swing at Blaze's ribcage but misses.
As Breznhev backs off Blaze throws a huge counter combo but Breznhev manages to avoid it all.
Breznhev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Blaze is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Breznhev with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Santana Blaze showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Breznhev shoots in looking for a takedown but Blaze manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Breznhev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Breznhev shoots in but Blaze avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Blaze lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Breznhev has his takedown stuffed
enabling Blaze to counter with a crisp jab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleks Breznhev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Breznhev closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Breznhev lands in his opponent's guard.
Breznhev postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blaze wants to sweep but no luck.
Breznhev wants to control from the top but Blaze keeps moving.
Breznhev won't allow Blaze to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blaze wants to stand up but Breznhev is controlling him.
Blaze keeping full guard, as Breznhev tries to pass.
Breznhev preventing the sweep.
Blaze is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nice sprawl there from Blaze as Breznhev shoots in.
Breznhev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Blaze keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Breznhev with a lazy takedown attempt
and Breznhev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Blaze thumps Breznhev with a low kick.
Breznhev shoots in for a double leg but Blaze sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Breznhev shoots in and drives through. Blaze sprawls well.
Aleks Breznhev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Breznhev gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nice straight punches there by Blaze. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Blaze.
Blaze avoids the body shot from Breznhev.
Blaze stalks Breznhev and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Breznhev's face. Breznhev staggers backwards, shaken.
Blaze takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Blaze is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Breznhev avoids the body shot from Blaze.
Blaze scores with a one two! Breznhev had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Breznhev looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Blaze!
Blaze is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Breznhev is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blaze is trying to control Breznhev's posture but Breznhev avoids it.
Blaze manages to get back to half guard.
Blaze is trying to control but can't.
Breznhev is keen to just control but Blaze is a slippery customer.
Blaze is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Breznhev scores with a couple of nice shots.
Aleks Breznhev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Blaze is trying to stand up here but Breznhev is controlling him well.
Breznhev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Blaze defending well though.
Blaze looks like he's trying to stand up.
Breznhev looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Blaze is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Breznhev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Blaze defending well though.
Blaze avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Breznhev.
Breznhev not doing much here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Breznhev slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Blaze lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Good standup being displayed there by Blaze as he connects with a hook.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Breznhev.
Santana Blaze is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Breznhev throws a predictable looking body shot
and Blaze counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Santana Blaze comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Blaze 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Santana Blaze!
Santana Blaze decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.