PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alex Alexandrov (ranked 23976 p4p, 703 weight class) and Samuel Lizard (ranked 22970 p4p, 717 weight class). Alex Alexandrov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Samuel Lizard's chin.

Alexandrov
vs
Lizard

188 cm
22
205 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

188 cm
25
210 lbs
9 - 12 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alex Alexandrov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Samuel Lizard!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Robert Twigg and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lizard swats away the attempt to clinch by Alexandrov.
Lizard looks to land a right hand but Alexandrov moved out of range.
Alexandrov tries to clinch up
and Lizard counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Alexandrov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Alexandrov ducks right into an uppercut from Lizard.
Alexandrov tries to clinch up.
Alexandrov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lizard avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alexandrov tries to clinch but Lizard moves out of range.
Alexandrov is looking to clinch but Lizard is avoiding it.
Lizard scores with a nice strike.
Lizard throws a right hand that Alexandrov ducks under and follows up with a left that Alexandrov also avoids with ease.
Lizard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Alexandrov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lizard throws a hook to the side of Alexandrov's head but Alexandrov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lizard takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Alexandrov tries to clinch there but Lizard circles away.
Alexandrov moves out of range of the strikes.
Alexandrov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Alexandrov forces Lizard back against the cage and clinches.
Alexandrov looking to throw knees to the head but Lizard is blocking nicely.
Alexandrov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Lizard is trying to push Alexandrov away but Alexandrov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Alexandrov misses with some punches.
Lizard is looking to break free of the clinch but Alexandrov has double underhooks.
Alexandrov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Lizard's efforts to push away.
Lizard wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Lizard is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Alexandrov lands with a left to the head.
Alexandrov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lizard's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lizard misses with a looping left.

Alexandrov drives through and clinches with Lizard against the cage.

Lizard's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lizard throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Alexandrov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Samuel Lizard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lizard falls off balance throwing a combination
and Alexandrov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Lizard misses with a hook. Alexandrov ducked under it nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Alexandrov darts in trying to clinch
and Lizard counters with a right hand to the body.
Lizard misses with a body shot.
Alexandrov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Lizard throws a right and a left that Alexandrov avoids nicely.
Lizard looks to throw the jab but Alexandrov is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alexandrov rushes Lizard and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Lizard tries to break the clinch but Alexandrov is controlling the position.
Alexandrov struggles to land a body shot inside as Lizard controls his hands.

Lizard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lizard scores with a hook to the body. Alexandrov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Lizard misses with a lunging right hand
and Alexandrov counters with a two punch combo.
Lizard throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Alexandrov counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Lizard!
Lizard is looking for a sweep.

Alexandrov decides to stand up, so the ref orders Lizard to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Alexandrov throws a shot to the body.
Lizard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Alexandrov lands a left and a right that send Lizard crashing to the mat, dazed. Alexandrov thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Lizard is rocked!

It looks like Samuel Lizard has been cut.
Alexandrov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lizard paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lizard is still on wobbly legs! Can Alexandrov finish him?
Lizard misses with a hook. Alexandrov ducked under it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alexandrov closes the distance and clinches.
Lizard working hard to break the clinch.
Lizard seems to have recovered his senses.
Alexandrov slows down the pace here.
Alexandrov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Lizard is trying to push Alexandrov away but Alexandrov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Alexandrov misses with a body punch.

Alexandrov manages to break the clinch.
Lizard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Alexandrov seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Alexandrov tries to clinch there but Lizard circles away.
Alexandrov walks into a stiff left hand from Lizard.
Lizard is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Alexandrov.
Lizard misses with a wild body shot.
Lizard throws a hook to the side of Alexandrov's head but Alexandrov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The fight stays on the outside here - Alexandrov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
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.
The cut man is working on Samuel Lizard's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Alexandrov avoids the body shot from Lizard.
Lizard throws a hook but Alexandrov blocks it.
Alexandrov wants to clinch.
Lizard lands a slapping body shot.
Lizard throws an off balance right hand

and Alexandrov counters by clinching up.
Alexandrov prevents Lizard from breaking the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lizard is trying to force a seperation but Alexandrov has the dominant position.

Alexandrov successfully pulls guard.
Lizard prevents Alexandrov from getting back to his feet.

Lizard decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Lizard swats away the attempt to clinch by Alexandrov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lizard stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Lizard keeps the fight on the outside.
Lizard throws a hook but Alexandrov avoids it easily.
Alexandrov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lizard! But no joy.
Alexandrov doesn't manage to clinch there - Lizard circles away.
Alexandrov lands with a nice body punch.
Lizard throws an overhand right that lands on Alexandrov's shoulder, as Alexandrov tries to avoid the shot.
Alexandrov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lizard throws out the jab.
Alexandrov moves out of range as Lizard strikes.
Lizard swings widly with a right hand
and Alexandrov counters with a three punch combo that has Lizard backing up. Lizard nods at Alexandrov to acknowledge the strikes.
A big left from Lizard misses.
Alexandrov slips a straight right by Lizard.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Lizard in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lizard will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Lizard fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Alexandrov went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lizard slips a jab and a cross from Alexandrov.
Alexandrov slips under a jab from Lizard.
Lizard throws a hook but Alexandrov avoids it easily.

Alexandrov darts in and clinches Lizard up against the cage.
Lizard tries to break the clinch but Alexandrov is controlling the position.
Alexandrov can't find room to land a body shot as Lizard controls the action.
Alexandrov is trying to pull guard but Lizard has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Lizard's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Alexandrov struggles to land a body shot inside as Lizard controls his hands.
Alexandrov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Alexandrov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lizard's elbow.

Lizard breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lizard takes a swing at Alexandrov's ribcage but misses.

Alexandrov gets a clinch.
Lizard can't break the clinch.

Lizard pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Alexandrov throws a right and a left that Lizard avoids nicely.
Lizard let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Lizard lands with a hook. Alexandrov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Lizard lands with an overhand left.
Alexandrov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Lizard throws a series of punches but Alexandrov moves out of range.
Alexandrov misses with the combination.
Lizard misses with a wild body shot.
Lizard swats away the attempt to clinch by Alexandrov.
Lizard appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lizard misses the body punch
and Alexandrov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
A nice combination there by Alexandrov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lizard swats away the attempt to clinch by Alexandrov.
Alexandrov tries to clinch up.
Alexandrov is looking to wear down Lizard with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Lizard avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Alexandrov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Lizards jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Alexandrov fails to land with a series of punches.
Alexandrov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lizard swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lizard just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Lizard. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Lizard.
The fighters circling - Lizard throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lizard scores with the left hand. Alexandrov knows he should have avoided that one.
Alexandrov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lizard manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lizard! But no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Samuel Lizard will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Samuel Lizard's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Alexandrov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Alexandrov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lizard.
Lizard throws a shot to the body.
Alexandrov tries to close the distance and clinch but Lizard swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lizard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Alexandrov.
Alexandrov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Alexandrov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Alexandrov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lizard paws at him with a jab and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alexandrov tries to clinch up but Lizard circles away and keeps his distance.
Lizard uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Alexandrov.
Lizard lands a jab to the nose.
Alexandrov looks to clinch
and Lizard counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexandrov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lizard circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lizard unleashes a big counter combination but Alexandrov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Alex Alexandrov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lizard lands with an overhand left.
Alexandrov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Alexandrov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lizard swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lizard now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Alexandrov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lizard thows a left - swing and a miss!
Alexandrov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Alexandrov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lizard.
Lizard throws an overhand right that lands on Alexandrov's shoulder, as Alexandrov tries to avoid the shot.
Alexandrov tries to clinch up.
Alexandrov tries to clinch up.
Alexandrov moves in looking to clinch but Lizard pushes him off.
Lizard misses with a looping left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Alexandrov is looking to clinch but Lizard is avoiding it.
Donk. Lizard catches Alexandrov right on the button with a cross.
Alexandrov tries to close the distance and clinch but Lizard swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lizard throws out a counter right but Alexandrov avoids it with no problem.
Lizard keeps the fight on the outside.
Lizard misses with a straight right.
Alexandrov appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Lizard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Alexandrov manages to avoid it.
Alexandrov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

Oooooh!!! Alexandrov has knocked Lizard down with a huge combo! Alexandrov steps away and waves a wobbly Lizard back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Alexandrov moves into the clinch.

Lizard manages to break the clinch.
Lizard throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Alexandrov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Alexandrov doesn't manage to clinch there - Lizard circles away.
Lizard falls off balance throwing a combination
and Alexandrov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Samuel Lizard seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov tries to clinch up but Lizard circles away and keeps his distance.
Lizard unleashes a big counter combination but Alexandrov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Lizard throws a series of punches but Alexandrov moves out of range.

Alexandrov gets a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Alexandrov.
Alexandrov lands a hook that snaps the head of Lizard backwards.
Alexandrov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Alexandrov has Lizard pressed against the cage, preventing Lizard from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Knees in the clinch landing for Alexandrov.
Lizard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lizard is trying to break the clinch but Alexandrov has him pressed against the cage.
Alexandrov presses Lizard against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Alexandrov keeps control of Lizard as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Alexandrov connects with a knee to the head.
Lizard is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Alexandrov tries to pull guard but Lizard forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov tries to throw a body punch but Lizard avoids it by throwing Alexandrov back against the cage.
Alexandrov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Lizard blocks a body shot from Alexandrov.
Alexandrov misses with a punch to the body.
Lizard is trying to break free.
Alexandrov has Lizard pressed against the cage, preventing Lizard from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Lizard pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Some wild striking there from Alexandrov.
Alexandrov moves out of range of the strikes.
Alexandrov tries to close the distance and clinch but Lizard swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Alexandrov throws a head kick that misses
and Lizard cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lizard listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Lizard rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Alexandrov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

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 Alex Alexandrov.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Alex Alexandrov!
Alex Alexandrov thanked the fans post fight for their support.