PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alcibiades Cleinias (ranked 6108 p4p, 455 weight class) and Monkhbat Togoruutan (ranked 3945 p4p, 361 weight class). Cleinias kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Zorba The Greek. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cleinias
vs
Togoruutan

186 cm
23
200 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

177 cm
21
180 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alcibiades Cleinias!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Monkhbat Togoruutan!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Paul Aken and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab lands there for Cleinias.

It looks like Monkhbat Togoruutan has been cut.
Cleinias looks for a takedown but Togoruutan sprawls well.
And Togoruutan tries to counter it with a takedown but Cleinias pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Cleinias closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Togoruutan did well to prevent Cleinias getting side control.
Cleinias wants to stand but Togoruutan has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Togoruutan looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Cleinias seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Togoruutan gets full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Togoruutan working for a triangle but Cleinias defends it easily.
Cleinias wanted to stand there but Togoruutan had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Cleinias misses with a hook to the body

and Togoruutan counters with a takedown into side control.
Cleinias is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Togoruutan wants to control but Cleinias is keeping him busy.
Togoruutan remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

Togoruutan tries for a kimura but Cleinias is defending well.
Cleinias is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Togoruutan asserts his dominance and retains side control.
We've been hearing good reports from Cleinias'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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cleinias prevents Togoruutan from moving into mount.

Togoruutan tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Togoruutan has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Cleinias is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Togoruutan has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Cleinias seems a little lost for a moment, as Togoruutan dominates the positioning.
Togoruutan tries to move to mount but Cleinias blocks the move with his legs.
Cleinias wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Togoruutan trying to control the action but Cleinias is working from the bottom.
Cleinias wants to get back to his feet but Togoruutan drags him back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Togoruutan tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Togoruutan prevents Cleinias from escaping the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cleinias misses with a shot to the body

and Togoruutan counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Cleinias!

Cleinias throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

Cleinias manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Togoruutan on his heels. He'll look to pass Togoruutan's guard now, I'm sure.

Togoruutan is working an open guard so Cleinias takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Cleinias gets caught flat footed, as Togoruutan shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cleinias wants to stand up but Togoruutan is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cleinias pushes Togoruutan off and scrambles back to his feet.
Togoruutan avoids the body shot from Cleinias.
Togoruutan tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Cleinias shoots in for a takedown but Togoruutan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cleinias fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alcibiades Cleinias. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Togoruutan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Togoruutan changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Togoruutan takes one on the button.
Cleinias looks to land a left hand but Togoruutan moved out of range nicely.
Cleinias throws a nice looking combination but Togoruutan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Togoruutan changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Cleinias misses with a hook. Togoruutan ducked under it nicely.
And Togoruutan tries to counter it with a takedown but Cleinias pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A big left from Cleinias misses.
Togoruutan feints the counter takedown.
A swing and a miss from Cleinias.
Alcibiades Cleinias seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cleinias throws a predictable looking body shot

and Togoruutan counters with a takedown into side control.
Cleinias stops Togoruutan from passing to mount.
Cleinias wants to get back to his feet but Togoruutan drags him back down.
Togoruutan tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Cleinias is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Togoruutan is controlling him well.
Togoruutan is looking to take a break and control but Cleinias is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Cleinias is trying to buck Togoruutan off.
Togoruutan tries to move into full mount but can't pass Cleinias's legs.
Cleinias is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Cleinias trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Togoruutan looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Cleinias gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Togoruutan tries to control but Cleinias wriggling away.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Cleinias bucks Togoruutan off and manages to get back to his feet!
Cleinias listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Togoruutan keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cleinias misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Togoruutan counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Cleinias pushes Togoruutan off and gets back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Togoruutan dodges the punch combination from Cleinias.
And Togoruutan tries to counter it with a takedown but Cleinias pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Cleinias misses the shot to the body.
Cleinias throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Togoruutan counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Cleinias!

Cleinias bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Cleinias is breathing heavily.
Cleinias tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Togoruutan swivels and escapes.
Cleinias misses with a lunging right hand

and Togoruutan counters with a takedown into side control.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Togoruutan tries to move into full mount but can't pass Cleinias's legs.
Cleinias is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Togoruutan asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Togoruutan tries for a kimura but Cleinias is defending well.

Togoruutan is trying to get an arm triangle but Cleinias is defending well.
Cleinias is pushing Togoruutan's head away, looking to escape. Togoruutan manages to hold on to the position though.
You can see the frustration on Cleinias's face as Togoruutan controls the position.
Cleinias wants to get back to his feet but Togoruutan drags him back down.
Togoruutan tries to move to mount but Cleinias blocks the move with his legs.
Cleinias is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Togoruutan asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Cleinias stops Togoruutan from passing to mount.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Cleinias wants to get back to his feet but Togoruutan drags him back down.
Togoruutan moves into full mount!
Cleinias's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Togoruutan misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Cleinias is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Togoruutan controlling from the full mount.
Togoruutan is trying to take his opponent's back.
Cleinias is squirming around, avoiding Togoruutan's attempts to control the action.
Cleinias is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
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 Alcibiades Cleinias will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Monkhbat Togoruutan's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Cleinias scores with a jab.

Togoruutan shoots in and bounces Cleinias off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Togoruutan tries to free his leg and advance position but Cleinias is retaining full guard.
Cleinias wants to get back to his feet but Togoruutan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Cleinias keeping full guard, as Togoruutan tries to pass.
Togoruutan wants to control from the top but Cleinias keeps moving.
Cleinias is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Togoruutan trying to control but Cleinias is working from the bottom.
Cleinias wants to stand but Togoruutan is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Togoruutan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cleinias wants to get back to his feet but Togoruutan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Cleinias tries to score a power double leg takedown but Togoruutan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cleinias somewhat.
Togoruutan changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Cleinias throws a looping overhand right but Togoruutan ducks down to avoid it.
Togoruutan changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Cleinias connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Cleinias swings for the body but Togoruutan moves out of range.
Togoruutan with the counter takedown but Cleinias avoids it easily.
Cleinias scores with a punch to the head.
Cleinias misses with an uppercut.
Cleinias misses with a series of wild punches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cleinias throws a lazy uppercut

and Togoruutan decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Cleinias's guard.
Togoruutan must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Togoruutan throwing strikes from guard but Cleinias blocks nicely.
Togoruutan trying to control the position from guard on top but Cleinias is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Togoruutan prevents Cleinias from getting back to his feet.
Cleinias keeping moving, preventing Togoruutan from controlling successfully.
Togoruutan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cleinias wants to stand up but Togoruutan is controlling him.
Togoruutan tries to free his leg and advance position but Cleinias is retaining full guard.
Cleinias wants to stand up but Togoruutan is controlling him.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Togoruutan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cleinias swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cleinias wants to get back to his feet but Togoruutan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Alcibiades Cleinias is winning the standup battle so far.
Cleinias swinging wildly here.
Togoruutan changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Cleinias misses with a lunging right hand

and Togoruutan counters with a single leg into guard. Cleinias didn't expect that.

Cleinias manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Cleinias wants to get back to striking at distance but Togoruutan won't allow it.

Cleinias's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cleinias misses with a wild combination.
Togoruutan feints the counter takedown.
Cleinias is trying hard to land a takedown here. Togoruutan sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
And Togoruutan tries to counter it with a takedown but Cleinias pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Togoruutan feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
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!

The fighters are working up against the cage. Cleinias manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Togoruutan is trying to pull guard but Cleinias turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Cleinias prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cleinias working hard to break the clinch.
Cleinias looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Togoruutan ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Togoruutan no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Togoruutan wants to sweep but no luck.

Cleinias got a little sloppy there for a moment and Togoruutan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cleinias has managed to get both his arms back between Togoruutan's legs - danger averted.
Cleinias trying to stand up but can't free himself from Togoruutan's guard.

Cleinias gets to his feet. Togoruutan looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Cleinias throws a poor cross that misses

and Togoruutan counters with a takedown into side control.

Cleinias throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Cleinias swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

so Togoruutan counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Togoruutan is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Togoruutan trying to control the position from guard on top but Cleinias is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Togoruutan won't allow Cleinias to get back to his feet.
Cleinias is wriggling around but Togoruutan manages to pass to half guard.

Cleinias manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Cleinias throws a combination that misses

and Togoruutan counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Cleinias wants to get back to his feet.
Cleinias is in trouble now - Togoruutan has advanced to mount!
Togoruutan controlling the position easily from mount.
Togoruutan wants to take Cleinias's back here but Cleinias is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

Togoruutan jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Cleinias manages to avoid the submission attempt.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Cleinias is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Togoruutan wants to control but Cleinias is keeping him busy.
Monkhbat Togoruutan has got the better of the ground game so far.
Togoruutan tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cleinias is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Togoruutan asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Togoruutan tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Togoruutan working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Cleinias explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
A jab from Cleinias does it's job there.
Cleinias misses with a body punch

and Togoruutan decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Cleinias's guard.
Togoruutan trying to control the position from guard on top but Cleinias is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Togoruutan tries to free his leg and advance position but Cleinias is retaining full guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Cleinias wants to stand but Togoruutan is controlling the position.
Togoruutan is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Togoruutan works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Togoruutan 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.
Togoruutan takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Cleinias wants to get back to his feet.

Cleinias pushes Togoruutan off and gets back to his feet.
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!
Cleinias throws a sloppy body shot

and Togoruutan counters with a single leg into guard. Cleinias didn't expect that.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Cleinias is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Cleinias is trying to break the clinch but Togoruutan has him pressed against the cage.

Togoruutan has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Cleinias regains guard immediately.
Cleinias keeping full guard, as Togoruutan tries to pass.

Cleinias has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Togoruutan is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

Cleinias breaks from the clinch.
Cleinias swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Togoruutan decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Cleinias's guard.
Togoruutan prevents Cleinias from getting back to his feet.

Cleinias manages to escape and get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Cleinias looking to score a takedown here. Togoruutan is defending well but Cleinias drives through and ends up in Togoruutan's guard.
Cleinias wanted to stand there but Togoruutan had control of the position.

Cleinias stands up from Togoruutan's guard - Cleinias perhaps looking for a knockout.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Alcibiades Cleinias.
I think Cleinias 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight for Monkhbat Togoruutan!
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight for Alcibiades Cleinias!
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight for Alcibiades Cleinias!

Alcibiades Cleinias wins by split decision!
Alcibiades Cleinias was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.