PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexey Andreev (ranked 23 p4p, 3 weight class) and Ebeneezer Darkk (ranked 85 p4p, 14 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Andreev
vs
Darkk

175 cm
27
188 lbs
16 - 1 - 0

182 cm
31
193 lbs
23 - 7 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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KOMBAT KLOTHING

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 1 - 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 23 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ebeneezer Darkk!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shigeki Fujiwara and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Andreev misses with a left hand
and Darkk counters with a nice kick to the body.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Andreev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Darkk was well out of range. Poor timing from Andreev.
Darkk is trying to counter with his kicks.
Andreev looks to land a combination. Darkk sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Good shot there by Andreev.
Andreev blocks a low kick nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Andreev throws a hook to the side of Darkk's head but Darkk sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Darkk lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Andreev misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Andreev.
Darkk keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Andreev.
It seemed like Darkk was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Andreev connects with a right hand. Darkk shakes it off.
Darkk uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Andreev.
Darkk is trying to counter with his kicks.
Alexey Andreev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Andreev digs a good hook to Darkk's body.
Andreev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Darkk sprawls well. Darkk wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Andreev gets slowly back to his feet.
Darkk is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Andreev with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Andreev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A telegraphed right hand from Darkk misses the target.
An attempted straight right counter from Andreev misses the target.
Andreev darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Andreev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Darkk scores with a jab to the jaw.

It looks like Alexey Andreev has been cut.
Jab from Darkk.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andreev throws a jab but it's blocked by Darkk.
Ebeneezer Darkk is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Andreev lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Darkk at a distance.
Darkk throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Darkk takes a jab right on the kisser.
Andreev gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Darkk counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darkk on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Andreev swings away with a body shot that misses
and Darkk counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Andreev shoots for a double leg takedown but Darkk sprawls well. He's pushed Andreev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexey Andreev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Andreev throws a combination that misses
and Darkk counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Darkk steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Andreev.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Darkk slips a jab from Andreev.
Darkk looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Darkk avoids the body shot from Andreev.
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.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Andreev throws out a powerful jab.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Darkk might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Andreev has got the better of the exchanges.
Andreev misses with a takedown attempt

and Darkk counters with a nice right hand that sends Andreev toppling to the canvas! Andreev scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Darkk finish him?!

Andreev is rocked!
Darkk throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Darkk throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Darkk fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Andreev has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Andreev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Andreev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Darkk.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andreev scores with a decent looking hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Andreev misses the target.
Darkk misses with a lunging right hand
and Andreev counters with a nice uppercut.
Andreev misses with a looping right.
Darkk swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Andreev misses with a looping left.
Darkk appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Andreev.
Darkk swings for the body but Andreev moves out of range.
Andreev throws a big shot that misses.
Darkk is trying to counter with his kicks.
Darkk throws a leg kick which misses Andreev's front leg but catches the back leg as Andreev tries to avoid it.
Andreev connects with the punch.
Andreev lunges at Darkk with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Darkk's hand.
Andreev lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andreev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Darkk swivels and escapes.
Andreev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Darkk sprawls well. Darkk wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Andreev gets slowly back to his feet.
A little jabbing left from Darkk on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexey Andreev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Andreev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Andreev takes one to the chin there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andreev swinging wildly here.
Darkk is trying to counter with his kicks.
Andreev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Andreev throws a big shot that misses.
Andreev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
And Darkk responds with a good body kick, but Andreev manages to step out the way in time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The fighters circling - Andreev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Darkk let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ebeneezer Darkk will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Alexey Andreev's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Darkk slips a straight right by Andreev.
Alexey Andreev is winning the standup battle so far.
Andreev throws a body punch but Darkk moves out of range.
Darkk flicks out a counter leg kick but Andreev steps away.
Andreev fails with the takedown.
Darkk unleashes a big counter combination but Andreev bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Darkk enables Andreev to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Darkk manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Darkk looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Andreev trying to control but Darkk is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darkk tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Andreev trying to control the position from guard on top but Darkk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Andreev stopping the sweep attempt from Darkk.
Andreev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Darkk working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Andreev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Andreev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Andreev lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Andreev postures up in Darkk's guard and throws a big left but Darkk blocks it.

Andreev avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Andreev's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Darkk looking for a sweep. Not yet Darkk, not yet.
Darkk keeping moving, preventing Andreev from controlling successfully.
Andreev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Darkk works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Darkk is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Andreev is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Darkk is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Andreev connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Darkk's hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darkk takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Darkk takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A punch lands to the side of Darkk 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Andreev throws a series of punches but Darkk moves out of range.
Darkk throws out a counter right but Andreev avoids it with no problem.
Darkk misses with a low kick.
It looked like Andreev was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Darkk.
Andreev throws a right and a left that Darkk avoids nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andreev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Darkk defends it nicely.
Andreev lands with a nice combination. Darkk backs away looking to recover.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Darkk throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
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.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Andreev misses with an uppercut
and Darkk counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ebeneezer Darkk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Darkk throws a body kick that misses
and Darkk takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Darkk feints and then cracks Andreev's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Andreev down.
Darkk blocks a jab.
Andreev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Darkk replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Andreev blocks it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Andreev wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Darkk throws a big shot that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andreev shoots in for a takedown but Darkk shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Darkk scores with a body shot.
Darkk stuffs the takedown.
Andreev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Darkk.
Darkk appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Jab by Andreev.
Darkk keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andreev scores with a nice strike.
Andreev misses with a straight left.
A nice side step and Darkk releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Andreev is trying hard to land a takedown here. Darkk sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexey Andreev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Darkk avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Darkk lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Andreev throws a shot from downtown. Darkk moves away and avoids it.
It seemed like Darkk was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Andreev closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darkk is trying to get back to full guard.
Darkk is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Darkk works his way to full guard. Good work.
Darkk is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Andreev slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Andreev trying to control the position but Darkk is working away.
Darkk has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Andreev working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Andreev is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Darkk is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Darkk tries to buck Andreev off but Andreev is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darkk is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Andreev off and has taken his back!
Andreev rolls, trying to escape but Darkk keeps control of the position.
Andreev covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Darkk lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Darkk punishes Andreev with strikes from the back mount.
I really don't envy Andreev right now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Darkk lands an elbow to the side of the head.
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.
I really don't envy Andreev right now.
Darkk lands an elbow to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ebeneezer Darkk dominated that fourth 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. This is the final round!

Andreev throws a jab when Darkk was well out of range.
Darkk looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Andreev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Darkk swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Andreev is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Darkk's half guard.
Darkk manages to get to full guard.

Darkk looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Darkk utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Andreev got a little sloppy there for a moment and Darkk has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Andreev has managed to get both his arms back between Darkk's legs - danger averted.
Andreev showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Darkk working for a triangle but Andreev defends it easily.
Andreev postures up and lands a big shot to Darkk's brow.

Darkk has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Andreev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Andreev postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's two 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.
Andreev scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Andreev with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Andreev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Andreev thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Andreev distracts Darkk with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Andreev throws a big elbow that misses.
Darkk controls Andreev momentarily but Andreev frees himself.
Darkk is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Andreev wants to control from the top but Darkk keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Darkk is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darkk keeping moving, preventing Andreev from controlling successfully.

Darkk has his foot on Andreev's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Andreev works his way back into a safe position though.
Andreev trying to control but Darkk is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Andreev misses with a takedown
and Darkk counters with a left to the body.

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.
Darkk thows a left - swing and a miss!
Andreev connects with a body shot.
Andreev is trying hard to land a takedown here. Darkk sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Darkk throws a counter combo.
Andreev throws a nice looking combination but Darkk bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Darkk is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Andreev with a body shot.
Andreev throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Darkk counter with a right hand.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Darkk throws a body kick that misses
and Andreev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 48:47
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 48:47
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexey Andreev!
Alexey Andreev retains his middleweight title!
Alexey Andreev seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.