PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Filev (ranked 6128 p4p, 0 weight class) and Smash Brad (ranked 5906 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Filev
vs
Brad

178 cm
22
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

166 cm
23
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Alexander Filev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Smash Brad!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Ren Mimura and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Filev shoots in looking for a takedown but Brad manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Filev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Brad lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Filev circles away quickly and effectively.
Brad fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Brad stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Brad wants it to stay on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Filev. No joy for Brad on that attempt.
Brad avoids a punch combination nicely.
Brad stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Filev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Filev misses with a double jab
and Brad counters with a straight right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brad shoots in but Filev avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Brad avoids a punch combination nicely.
Brad throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Filev's waist but Filev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Brad off to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filev doesn't manage to clinch there - Brad circles away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Brad or perhaps it was just good defense by Filev, which made it look bad.
Filev throws a counter high kick but Brad was just alert enough to avoid it.
Brad stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Brad wants it to stay on the feet.

Brad is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Filev's half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Filev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Brad.
Filev trying to control but Brad postures up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Filev manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Filev is breathing heavily.

Brad avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Filev wriggles free and stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Filev fails with the takedown.
Brad shapes to counter with a head kick.
Brad fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Filev stuffs the takedown.
Nice sprawl there from Brad as Filev shoots in.
Brad tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Filev swivels and escapes.
Filev displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Brad.
Brad uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Filev has time to react.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brad shoots in and drives through. Filev sprawls well.

Filev gets tackled into the cage by Brad. Brad maintains the clinch.

Brad has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Filev uses from the top position.

Brad looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Filev has picked Brad up and slammed him! Brad can't keep hold of the triangle and Filev manages to pass to side control!
Filev really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Filev is looking to take a break and control but Brad is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Filev has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Filev tries to keep at a distance but Brad has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Brad gets control of Filev's arms and successfully pulls guard. Brad will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Filev preventing the sweep.

Filev gets to his feet - Brad follows without any prompting.
Nice sprawl there from Brad as Filev shoots in.
Brad tries for a takedown but Filev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Filev is looking for a counter combo.
Filev dives in and grabs Brad's left leg, looking for a takedown. Brad pushes down on Filev's head and hops out.
Brad fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Filev is looking to clinch but Brad is avoiding it.
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!
Brad showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Filev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alexander Filev will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Brad fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Filev throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Brad counters by clinching up.

Brad pulls Filev into guard.
Filev wants to control from the top but Brad keeps moving.
Alexander Filev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Brad trying to keep a closed guard but Filev is proving a slippery customer.
Filev is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brad has Filev pulled in close to control his posture.
Brad is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filev throws a big right hand that misses.
Filev trying to control but Brad is working from the bottom.
Brad is looking to stand up but Filev isn't so interested in that idea.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Filev is looking to clinch.
Smash Brad seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Brad shoots in for a takedown but Filev shows good takedown defense.
Brad is breathing heavily.
Brad showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Filev.
Brad fails with a takedown attempt.
Alexander Filev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Smash Brad.
Filev swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Filev misses with an uppercut. Brad saw that one coming.
Filev thumps Brad with a low kick.
Brad shoots in looking for a takedown but Filev manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Brad's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Brad slips a jab and a cross from Filev.
The fight stays on the outside here - Filev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Filev slips a jab and a cross from Brad.
Alexander Filev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Brad shoots in for a takedown but Filev shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Brad gets tackled into the cage by Filev. Filev maintains the clinch.
Filev tries to circle away but Brad has him pinned against the cage.
Filev gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Brad.
Brad has Filev pressed against the cage, preventing Filev from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Filev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Brad fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Filev, pushing him back against the cage.
Filev is trying to force a seperation but Brad has the dominant position.
Brad fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Brad is trying to break free.
Brad's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Filev is trying to break the clinch but Brad is controlling him.
Brad gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Filev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Brad breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Brad blocks a head kick by Filev.
Filev is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Brad.
Brad fails with the takedown.
Brad has a takedown stuffed.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Filev throws a nice looking combination but Brad bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Brad throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Filev dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A punch combination from Filev misses.
A combination from Filev does no damage.
Brad shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Filev as he avoids it easily.
Filev shoots in looking for a takedown but Brad manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Filev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Filev fails with the takedown
and Brad counters with a one-two to the body.
Brad shoots in and drives through. Filev sprawls well.
Brad misses with a takedown attempt - Filev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Alexander Filev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Smash Brad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brad digs a good body shot into Filev's ribs.
Filev falls off balance throwing a combination

and Brad moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brad is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Filev gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Filev is trying to push Brad away but Brad has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Brad fails to pull guard.
Brad wants to break the clinch but can't.
Brad lands a left hand.
Filev trying to land knees to the body.

Brad manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Filev content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Brad working a defensive guard here.
Filev with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Brad is working an open guard so Filev takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Brad dives in and grabs Filev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Filev pushes down on Brad's head and hops out.
Filev is trying hard to land a takedown here. Brad sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Filev throws a head kick that half lands.

Brad drives through with a takedown into guard.
Filev keeping moving, preventing Brad from controlling successfully.
Brad's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Filev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Brad with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filev wants to stand but Brad is controlling the position.

Filev throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Brad throws a big elbow that misses.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Brad bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Brad working away.
Filev prevents Brad from moving into mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filev is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Brad is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Filev won't allow Brad to pass to mount.
Brad lands with a punch from half guard.
Filev is trying to control but can't.
Brad is taking a breather. Filev says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Filev wants to control but Brad is keeping busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Filev is trying to stand back up but Brad is controlling him

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
Smash Brad comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Filev has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Alexander Filev!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Smash Brad!
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Alexander Filev!

Alexander Filev wins by split decision!
After winning the bout, Alexander Filev thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.