PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Alex Alexandrov (ranked 23362 p4p, 518 weight class) and Sigi Pesalelei (ranked 23411 p4p, 480 weight class). Sigi Pesalelei will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Alexandrov
vs
Pesalelei

188 cm
21
205 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

189 cm
21
250 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alex Alexandrov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sigi Pesalelei!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Pesalelei looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Alexandrov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Pesalelei keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Nice defenses there by Alexandrov.

Alexandrov darts in and clinches Pesalelei up against the ropes.
Alexandrov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Pesalelei has a couple of punches blocked by Alexandrov.
Alexandrov avoids a wild elbow strike from Pesalelei.
Nice body punch from Alexandrov - that landed with a thud.
Alexandrov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Alexandrov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Pesalelei or not.
A short uppercut from Alexandrov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pesalelei working aggressively here.
Pesalelei lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Pesalelei throws a punch but it's blocked by Alexandrov.

Alexandrov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Pesalelei misses the jab.

Alexandrov gets a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pesalelei throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Pesalelei lands a shoulder strike.
Nice elbow from Pesalelei.
A short body shot lands from Alexandrov as the two fighters clinch.
Alexandrov prevents Pesalelei from breaking the clinch.
Pesalelei tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Alexandrov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Alexandrov tries to work over Pesalelei's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Pesalelei prevents a body shot from Alexandrov.
Stalling in the clinch from Alexandrov.
Alexandrov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pesalelei blocks a body shot from Alexandrov.
Pesalelei working aggressively here.
Alexandrov blocks the elbow strike.
Alexandrov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Pesalelei scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Alexandrov dodges an elbow strike from Pesalelei.
Alexandrov has Pesalelei pressed against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pesalelei's elbow.
Alexandrov blocking some punches.
Alexandrov stalls.
Alexandrov has Pesalelei pressed against the ropes, preventing Pesalelei from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Pesalelei swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Alexandrov lands a hook that snaps the head of Pesalelei backwards.
Alexandrov blocks an uppercut.
Pesalelei misses with a hook from the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Alexandrov tries to work over Pesalelei's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Alexandrov lands a shoulder strike.

Alexandrov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pesalelei lands a really nice looking cross but Alexandrov seems unphased.

Pesalelei tries to keep at a distance but Alexandrov has taken the fight into the clinch.

Alexandrov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Alexandrov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
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 Alex Alexandrov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Pesalelei is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Alexandrov.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Pesalelei has a couple of punches blocked by Alexandrov.
Alexandrov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Alexandrov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Alexandrov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pesalelei's elbow.

Alexandrov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pesalelei throws a body punch but Alexandrov moves out of range.

Pesalelei closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pesalelei lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Alexandrov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pesalelei's elbow.
Alexandrov lands a body shot.

Alexandrov breaks the clinch.
Pesalelei throws a poor cross that misses
and Alexandrov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Pesalelei lands a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alexandrov has taken the fight to the clinch.
A short left from Alexandrov.

It looks like Sigi Pesalelei has been cut.
Pesalelei lands a damaging elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Alexandrov.
Alexandrov avoids the elbow strike from Pesalelei, against the ropes.
Pesalelei lands a damaging elbow.
Alexandrov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Alexandrov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pesalelei working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Alexandrov struggles to land a body shot inside as Pesalelei controls his hands.
Pesalelei swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Alexandrov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Pesalelei misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pesalelei.
Alex Alexandrov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Alexandrov tries a body shot but Pesalelei blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Pesalelei fails to land.
Alexandrov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pesalelei swings wildly with an uppercut but Alexandrov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pesalelei lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Alex Alexandrov has been cut.
Alexandrov can't find room to land a body shot as Pesalelei controls the action.
A short right from Alexandrov on the inside.
Pesalelei wants to break the clinch but can't.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Pesalelei tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Alexandrov lands an uppercut.
Pesalelei throws a punch but it's blocked by Alexandrov.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pesalelei.
A short body shot lands from Alexandrov as the two fighters clinch.
Alexandrov misses with a body punch.
Alexandrov can't find room to land a body shot as Pesalelei controls the action.
Alexandrov lands a right hand.
Pesalelei lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Pesalelei makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Alexandrov manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alex Alexandrov will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Pesalelei takes a swing at Alexandrov's ribcage but misses.
Sigi Pesalelei seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pesalelei misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A jab from Pesalelei misses.
Alexandrov slips under a jab from Pesalelei.
Alexandrov checks a leg kick.

Alexandrov moves into the clinch successfully.
Alexandrov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Alexandrov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Pesalelei throws a punch but it's blocked by Alexandrov.
A short left from Pesalelei.
Alexandrov has Pesalelei pushed against the ropes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pesalelei swings wildly with an uppercut but Alexandrov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pesalelei blocks a body shot from Alexandrov.

Alexandrov breaks from the clinch.
Pesalelei wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Pesalelei.
Pesalelei slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Alexandrov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Alexandrov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Pesalelei lands a shoulder strike.
Alexandrov is working Pesalelei over against the ropes.
Alexandrov scores with a shot to the side of Pesalelei's head.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Pesalelei throws an elbow but misses.
Pesalelei throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Pesalelei wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Pesalelei fails to land.
Nice body punch from Alexandrov - that landed with a thud.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov tries to land knees in the clinch but Pesalelei avoids the damage to the body.
Pesalelei prevents a body shot from Alexandrov.
Pesalelei lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Alexandrov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Alexandrov blocks the elbow strike.
Pesalelei gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Pesalelei swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Pesalelei misses with some punches.
Alexandrov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Pesalelei fails to land.
Alexandrov lands a shoulder strike.
Pesalelei has a couple of punches blocked by Alexandrov.
Pesalelei lands an elbow inside.
Alexandrov trying to control the position but instead, Pesalelei has worked for underhooks and has pushed Alexandrov into the ropes.
Pesalelei lands with a short head shot on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sigi Pesalelei really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Alexandrov forces Pesalelei back against the ropes and clinches.
Alexandrov taking a breather.
Alexandrov tries to land knees in the clinch but Pesalelei avoids the damage to the body.
Pesalelei lands an elbow inside.
Alexandrov dodges an elbow strike from Pesalelei.
Pesalelei misses with a short punch on the inside.
Alexandrov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Alexandrov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Alexandrov lands a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pesalelei.
Pesalelei swings away with an uppercut that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Alexandrov manages to break the clinch.
Pesalelei cracks the inside of Alexandrov's front leg.
Alexandrov on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Alexandrov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Pesalelei, pushing him back against the ropes.
Alexandrov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pesalelei misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pesalelei lands an uppercut.
Pesalelei lands with a light punch inside.
Alexandrov is looking to control Pesalelei's arms but Pesalelei gets an underhook and turns him. Now Alexandrov has his back to the ropes.
Alexandrov blocks an elbow strike.
Pesalelei prevents a body shot from Alexandrov.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Pesalelei as Alexandrov tries to tie him up.
Pesalelei has a couple of punches blocked by Alexandrov.
Alexandrov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Pesalelei is keeping busy.
Alexandrov presses Pesalelei against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Pesalelei throws an elbow that misses.

Pesalelei's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Alexandrov gets a clinch.
Pesalelei working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Alexandrov is stalling here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pesalelei escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pesalelei throws a shot from downtown. Alexandrov moves away and avoids it.
Pesalelei looks to score with a jab to the body but Alexandrov is just out of range.
Pesalelei throws a head kick but Alexandrov moves out of range.
Alexandrov appears to be looking for a big counter.
Alexandrov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Pesalelei counters with a straight right hand.

Alexandrov has taken the fight to the clinch.
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!
Alexandrov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Pesalelei throws a punch but it's blocked by Alexandrov.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pesalelei.
Alexandrov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Alexandrov lands a nice uppercut.
A short right from Pesalelei on the inside.
Pesalelei throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Alexandrov blocks the elbow strike.
Alexandrov digs a right hand underneath Pesalelei's ribcage. Pesalelei let out a lung full of air as it connected.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sigi Pesalelei dominated that fourth round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Alexandrov clinches with his opponent.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Alexandrov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Alexandrov avoids the elbow strike from Pesalelei, against the ropes.
Alexandrov struggles to land a body shot inside as Pesalelei controls his hands.
Alexandrov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Pesalelei misses with some punches.
Pesalelei comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Alexandrov tries to work over Pesalelei's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Alexandrov can't find room to land a body shot as Pesalelei controls the action.
Pesalelei lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alexandrov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alexandrov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Pesalelei misses with an elbow strike.
Pesalelei is trying to force a seperation but Alexandrov has the dominant position.
Pesalelei misses with a hook from the clinch.
Alexandrov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pesalelei's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexandrov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Pesalelei is keeping busy.
Alexandrov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Pesalelei misses with an elbow over the top.
A short uppercut from Pesalelei.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Pesalelei.
Pesalelei misses with some punches.
Alexandrov lands with a short shot to the head.
Pesalelei on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Alexandrov misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch on the inside from Pesalelei fails to land.
Alexandrov avoids the elbow strike from Pesalelei, against the ropes.
Pesalelei creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alexandrov.
Alexandrov lands a body punch in the clinch.
Alexandrov tries to throw a body punch but Pesalelei avoids it by throwing Alexandrov back against the ropes.
Alexandrov pushes Pesalelei back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov pushes Pesalelei back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Pesalelei is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Alexandrov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Alexandrov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Alexandrov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A body shot lands from Alexandrov.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Alexandrov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Alexandrov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Alexandrov tries to throw a body punch but Pesalelei avoids it by throwing Alexandrov back against the ropes.
Pesalelei misses with a short punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Alexandrov.
Alexandrov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pesalelei's elbow.
Alexandrov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Alexandrov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Alexandrov avoids a wild elbow strike from Pesalelei.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alexandrov.
Alexandrov looking to slow down the pace here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Alexandrov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Alexandrov 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 46:49
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 48:47
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Alex Alexandrov!
Alex Alexandrov is the new heavyweight champion!
Our winner, Alex Alexandrov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
Sigi Pesalelei was interviewed post fight and said 'im sorry to all my fans i let down.'.