PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alexey Andreev (ranked 181 p4p, 24 weight class) and Guido Sarducci (ranked 1001 p4p, 134 weight class). Sarducci is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Ave Maria. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Andreev
vs
Sarducci

175 cm
24
180 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

185 cm
31
184 lbs
19 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear
Velocity Fightwear

KOMBAT KLOTHING

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexey Andreev!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Guido Sarducci!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, George Francis and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sarducci throws the left hand but Andreev avoids the punch easily.
Sarducci uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Andreev.
Andreev listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Sarducci lands with a good body shot.
Alexey Andreev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sarducci takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nice straight punches there by Andreev. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Andreev.
Sarducci ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Andreev moves away.
Andreev misses with a takedown attempt
and Sarducci counters with a stiff right hand.
Sarducci is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Andreev is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Sarducci.

It looks like Alexey Andreev has been cut.
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!
Sarducci misses with a wild body shot.
Andreev throwing a counter right hand but Sarducci manages to avoid it.
A punch lands to the side of Sarducci 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Andreev misses with a hook. Sarducci ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Andreev closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Sarducci's guard.
Sarducci has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Sarducci wants to sweep here but Andreev controlling him for the moment.
Andreev sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Andreev distracts Sarducci with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Andreev slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Sarducci working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andreev is stalling in the full guard.
Andreev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sarducci preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Andreev trying to control the position from guard on top but Sarducci is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Andreev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Andreev trying to control but Sarducci is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sarducci throws a jab when Andreev was well out of range.
Sarducci loads up on a big right hand but Andreev slips the punch.
Sarducci takes one on the button.
Andreev scores with a body shot.
Andreev slips under a jab from Sarducci.
Andreev attempts a counter takedown but Sarducci avoids it well and moves away.
Andreev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sarducci sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Andreev somewhat.
Sarducci throws out a counter right but Andreev avoids it with no problem.
Andreev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sarducci.
Andreev misses the shot to the body.
Sarducci looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A jab from Sarducci misses.
Andreev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sarducci moves away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Andreev. Sarducci does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sarducci walks into a left hand.
Andreev on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sarducci takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Andreev shoots in looking for a takedown. Sarducci tries to sprawl out of it but Andreev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sarducci manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexey Andreev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sarducci doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Andreev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sarducci.
Andreev lands with a hook. Sarducci tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Sarducci ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Andreev moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexey Andreev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alexey Andreev's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Andreev on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sarducci has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

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

Andreev is trying to work for a kimura but Sarducci is defending well.
Sarducci wants to improve his position but Andreev is controlling well.
Sarducci won't allow Andreev to pass to mount.

Andreev is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Andreev 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Andreev is looking for a kimura but Sarducci is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Andreev to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andreev landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Andreev working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Andreev content to control rather than advance.
We've been hearing good reports from Andreev's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Sarducci has hold of Andreev's hands but Andreev slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Andreev throwing shots but Sarducci is blocking nicely.
Alexey Andreev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Andreev passes to side control.
Sarducci takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Sarducci prevents Andreev from moving into mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Sarducci tries to bench press Andreev off him but Andreev keeps the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sarducci can do anything to dispel that myth.
Andreev advances nicely into full mount.
A nice elbow there by Andreev.
Sarducci takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

Andreev working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Andreev connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Andreev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sarducci can do to turn this around?
Andreev trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Andreev fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Andreev scoring with strikes but Sarducci is staying in there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sarducci is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Andreev lands a big elbow.
Andreev trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Andreev lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Andreev postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Sarducci looks a forlorn figure.

Andreev with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Sarducci wants to hold on but Andreev pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andreev scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Sarducci?

Andreev looking to secure an arm triangle but Sarducci defends it well.
Andreev lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Andreev is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Sarducci can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Andreev controlling the position easily from mount.
Andreev working the ground and pound effectively.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
BOOM! Andreev connects with a massive shot to the dome!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexey Andreev dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Alexey Andreev's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sarducci uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Andreev.

Andreev shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Sarducci is trying to defend but Andreev finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Sarducci wants to improve his position but Andreev is controlling well.

Andreev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Andreev wants to free his trapped foot but Sarducci is holding on for dear life with his legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Andreev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Andreev not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andreev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sarducci's head.
Andreev is trying to control. Sarducci wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Andreev takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Andreev not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Andreev seems to be looking for submissions.
Andreev throwing shots but Sarducci is blocking nicely.
Sarducci keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Andreev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Andreev lands strikes from half guard.
Andreev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Andreev looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sarducci is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Andreev scores with a couple of nice shots.
Andreev is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Andreev scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Andreev seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Andreev is looking for a kimura but Sarducci is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Andreev to get the leverage.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Andreev lands a nice short elbow.

Andreev is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Andreev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sarducci's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andreev is looking to take a break and control but Sarducci is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nice strikes from Andreev there.
Andreev lands with a punch from half guard.
Andreev landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Andreev looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Andreev winds up and cracks Sarducci with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sarducci blocking the ground and pound attempt from Andreev.
Ground and pound from Andreev.
Sarducci has hold of Andreev's hands but Andreev slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andreev lands strikes from half guard.
Sarducci is trying to maintain the position but Andreev is very close to passing his half guard.
Andreev trying to control the action but Sarducci is working from the bottom.
Sarducci is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Andreev scores with a couple of nice shots.
Andreev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sarducci trying to hold on to Andreev's head to control him but Andreev postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Andreev lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Andreev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexey Andreev clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Alexey Andreev's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sarducci takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Andreev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sarducci was well out of range. Poor timing from Andreev.
Sarducci looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Andreev looking to score a takedown here. Sarducci is defending well but Andreev drives through and ends up in Sarducci's guard.
Sarducci being controlled here, momentarily.
Andreev lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Andreev is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Andreev throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andreev is in close to Sarducci's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Andreev wants to control from the top but Sarducci keeps moving.
Andreev advances position into side control!
Andreev works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Sarducci dodges the ground and pound from Andreev.
Sarducci is letting Andreev control him for a moment.
Sarducci takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Sarducci is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andreev scores with a couple of short elbows.
Sarducci is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Sarducci managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Andreev.
Andreev wants to control but Sarducci is keeping him busy.
Sarducci takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Sloppy strikes there by Andreev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sarducci is not content to let Andreev control the position.
Andreev is staying tight to Sarducci's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Andreev in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Andreev is working Sarducci over with some ground and pound from side control.
Sarducci struggling a bit here.
Sarducci taking a bit of punishment here - Andreev scoring with strikes.
Check out the look on Andreev's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andreev tries to score with some ground and pound. Sarducci controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Andreev trying to control the position but Sarducci is working away.
Andreev is putting a hurting on Sarducci here, landing some big shots from side control.
Andreev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sarducci keeps working.
The referee asks Andreev politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Andreev prefers to stall for the moment though.
Sarducci is working to avoid the ground and pound but Andreev connects with a decent elbow.

Andreev tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sarducci is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexey Andreev had his way with Guido Sarducci in that round.
The cut man is working on Alexey Andreev's cut.
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 is the final round!

Sarducci tries to move into range but Andreev moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Sarducci throws a looping overhand right but Andreev ducks down to avoid it.
Andreev tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sarducci defends well and Andreev ends up having to push Sarducci into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Sarducci cracks Andreev with an open hand slap.
Andreev shoots for a double leg takedown but Sarducci sprawls well. He's pushed Andreev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sarducci ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Andreev moves away.
Sarducci misses with a body shot.
Sarducci thows a left - swing and a miss!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sarducci throws a body shot but no joy.
Andreev is looking to counter punch.
Sarducci feints a jab promting Andreev to slip. Sarducci then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Andreev slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Sarducci throws a hook to the side of Andreev's head but Andreev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Andreev throws out a powerful jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sarducci misses with a jab to the body
and Andreev counters with a straight right hand.

Andreev feints and as Sarducci raises his hands in defense, Andreev changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Andreev is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Andreev chips away with some ground and pound.
Andreev trying to control but Sarducci is working from the bottom.
Andreev stands up over Sarducci, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Andreev pushes down on Sarducci's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Andreev is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Sarducci has managed to free his arm - good work.
Andreev trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sarducci trying to control but Andreev postures up.

Andreev is working for a kimura but Sarducci is defending it quite comfortably.

Andreev 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andreev is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Andreev controlling the position easily from mount.
Andreev cracks Sarducci with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Guido Sarducci has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alexey Andreev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sarducci is in a horrible position here. Andreev smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Andreev sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Andreev with good strikes from the mount here!
Sarducci is trying to escape the mount.
Andreev tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Andreev is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Sarducci is surviving well by controlling Andreev's body position as best he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexey Andreev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Andreev has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 50:42
Judge George Francis scores the fight 50:42
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 50:42

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexey Andreev!
Alexey Andreev retains his welterweight title!
Alexey Andreev thanked the fans post fight for their support.