PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexey Alexandrov (ranked 2800 p4p, 343 weight class) and Obi Canuel (ranked 2723 p4p, 335 weight class). Obi Canuel has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Alexandrov
vs
Canuel

192 cm
30
200 lbs
5 - 12 - 0

189 cm
32
201 lbs
14 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 5 - 12 - 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 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Obi Canuel!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Hirohito Nitta and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Canuel on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Alexandrov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Canuel, pushing him back against the cage.
Alexandrov tries to score a body lock takedown but Canuel shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Canuel.
Alexandrov looking for a takedown.
Canuel scores with a shoulder strike.
Alexandrov swings wildly with an uppercut but Canuel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Canuel with a knee to the head.

It looks like Alexey Alexandrov has been cut.
Alexandrov misses with some punches.
Alexandrov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Canuel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Canuel creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Canuel works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Canuel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Canuel tries a knee to the head but Alexandrov blocks it.
Alexandrov tries a body shot but Canuel blocks it.
Alexandrov goes for a takedown attempt but Canuel pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexey Alexandrov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice straight punches there by Canuel. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Canuel.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexandrov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Canuel misses with a two punch combination.
Alexandrov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Alexandrov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Alexandrov misses with a hook.
Canuel throws a predictable looking body shot
and Alexandrov counters with a nice uppercut.
Alexandrov misses with a looping right.
Alexandrov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Canuel looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Alexey Alexandrov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Canuel fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Alexandrov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Alexandrov is looking to clinch but Canuel is avoiding it.
Alexandrov jabs Canuel to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Canuel throws a jab when Alexandrov was well out of range.
Alexandrov appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Alexandrov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Canuel sprawls well. Canuel wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Alexandrov gets slowly back to his feet.
Canuel throws out a counter right but Alexandrov avoids it with no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A slow jab from Canuel misses its intended target.
Alexandrov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Canuel manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Alexandrov avoids the body shot from Canuel.
An attempted straight right counter from Alexandrov misses the target.
Canuel moves out of range as Alexandrov strikes.
Canuel drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Alexandrov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A jab from Alexandrov misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Canuel! But no joy.
Alexandrov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Alexandrov moves out of range of the strikes.
Canuel misses with a few strikes there.
Alexandrov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Alexandrov misses with a takedown attempt - Canuel sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov takes one to the side of the head.
Canuel displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Alexandrov.
A nice combination there by Canuel.
Canuel slips a jab from Alexandrov.
Canuel slips under a jab.
Alexandrov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Canuel.
A big left from Alexandrov misses.
Canuel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Alexandrov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Canuel manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Alexandrov working some strikes from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov looking to sit in guard and control but Canuel gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

This has been an exciting period of action!
Canuel wants to control from the top but Alexandrov keeps moving.
Canuel keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Alexandrov's head.
Canuel throws a strike but Alexandrov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Alexandrov throws an elbow that misses. Canuel uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Alexandrov's guard. Nice move by Canuel!

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alexandrov wants to sweep but no luck.
Canuel throws a big right hand that misses.
Canuel is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Alexandrov has momentary wrist control but Canuel slips an elbow through the middle.
Canuel throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Alexandrov pulls Canuel in close to prevent any damage.
Alexandrov tries to strike from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Obi Canuel will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alexey Alexandrov's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Canuel throws a nice looking combination but Alexandrov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Alexandrov is looking to counter punch.
Alexandrov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Canuel.
Alexandrov scores with a decent looking hook.
Alexandrov cracks Canuel with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Canuel avoids a punch combination nicely.
Canuel is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Alexandrov with a body shot.
Alexandrov throws a lazy right hand but Canuel sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A nice side step and Canuel releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Alexandrov misses with a lunging right hand
and Canuel counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Canuel looks to land a right hand but Alexandrov moved out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alexandrov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Canuel manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Canuel avoids a punch combination nicely.
A shot to the body from Alexandrov misses
and Canuel counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Alexandrov misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexandrov misses with a body shot.
Canuel throws out a powerful jab.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Alexandrov.
Nice body punch from Canuel.
Canuel looks to land a combination. Alexandrov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Alexandrov throws out a loose jab but Canuel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Canuel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Alexandrov.
Alexandrov throws a body shot but no joy.
Canuel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Canuel uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Alexandrov is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov throws a hook to the side of Canuel's head but Canuel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Canuel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Alexandrov throws a big shot that misses.
Canuel looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Canuel lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Oh Alexandrov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Alexandrov scores with a jab to the head.
Alexandrov seems to have got his legs back now.
Alexandrov moves to clinch but Canuel breaks away
and Canuel counters with a one-two to the body.
Alexandrov misses with a straight left.
Alexandrov fails with the takedown.
Canuel throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Alexandrov throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Canuel to counter with a crisp jab.

Alexandrov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Canuel sprawls well initially but Alexandrov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Canuel taking some punishment here, with Alexandrov in his half guard.
Alexandrov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Alexandrov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Canuel is trying is best to control the position here.
Alexandrov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Canuel blocking the ground and pound attempt from Alexandrov.
Alexey Alexandrov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Alexandrov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Alexandrov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Canuel defending well though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Canuel avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Alexandrov.
Alexandrov is looking to take a break and control but Canuel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Canuel keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Canuel's head.
Canuel manages to get to full guard.
Alexandrov throws an elbow that misses. Canuel uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Alexandrov's guard. Nice move by Canuel!

Canuel is fighting to break Alexandrov's control of his arms but Alexandrov is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Alexandrov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Alexandrov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Canuel's guard.

Alexandrov throws a big right hand that misses.
Alexandrov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Obi Canuel will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Alexey Alexandrov's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Alexandrov slips a jab from Canuel.
It looked like Alexandrov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Canuel.
Alexandrov slips a jab and a cross from Canuel.
Alexandrov darts in trying to clinch
letting Canuel counter with a right hand.
Alexandrov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Alexandrov throws a jab when Canuel was well out of range.

Alexandrov drives through with a takedown into Canuel's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Alexandrov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Canuel looking for a sweep. Not yet Canuel, not yet.
Alexandrov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Alexandrov chips away with some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Alexandrov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexandrov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Canuel utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Alexandrov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Alexandrov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Alexandrov postures up in Canuel's guard and throws a big left but Canuel blocks it.
Alexandrov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Alexandrov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Alexandrov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Alexandrov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Alexandrov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Canuel's head.
Alexandrov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Alexandrov throws a strike but Canuel rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Canuel scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Alexandrov wants to sweep here but Canuel controlling him for the moment.
Canuel postures up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Alexandrov holds on and takes a little breather.
Canuel connects with a couple of short punches.
Alexandrov looking to control.
Canuel in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Canuel with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Alexandrov keeping moving, preventing Canuel from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Canuel accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Alexandrov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Canuel chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Canuel lands a couple of digs.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Canuel cracks Alexandrov with a solid left hand.
Canuel stopping the sweep attempt from Alexandrov.
Canuel distracts Alexandrov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Alexandrov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Alexandrov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Canuel.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Canuel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Alexandrov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Canuel throws an off balance right hand
and Alexandrov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Alexey Alexandrov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Canuel misses with an attempted mid kick.
Canuel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Alexandrov.
Alexandrov lands a glancing blow to the side of Canuel's head.

Alexandrov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Canuel did well to prevent Alexandrov getting side control.

Canuel kicks off Alexandrov and gets to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Canuel lands a jab.
Obi Canuel is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov wants to clinch up but Canuel keeps it at a distance.
Canuel throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Alexandrov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Canuel.
Alexandrov throws a combination that misses
and Canuel counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Some wild striking there from Canuel.
Canuel fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Alexandrov shoots in for a double leg but Canuel sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
The fighters circling - Alexandrov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
It seemed like Canuel was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Alexandrov misses with a body punch
letting Canuel counter with a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Obi Canuel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Canuel 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 Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Obi Canuel!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Obi Canuel made sure he mentioned Conviction, along with how happy he was to win his fight.