PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Maximilian Alexei (ranked 2376 p4p, 324 weight class) and Tyson Asakura (ranked 3435 p4p, 422 weight class). Asakura has chosen JJBA - Giorno's Theme as his entrance music. Maximilian Alexei has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Alexei
vs
Asakura

185 cm
27
184 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

180 cm
21
173 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Maximilian Alexei!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tyson Asakura!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alexei throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Asakura counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Alexei!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Asakura is trying to get an arm triangle but Alexei is defending well.
Alexei is looking for a sweep.
Asakura tries to score with some ground and pound. Alexei controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Alexei takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Alexei struggling a bit here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Asakura is trying to get an arm triangle but Alexei is defending well.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexei struggling a bit here.
Alexei tries to bench press Asakura off him but Asakura keeps the position.
Asakura cracks Alexei with a big right hand but Alexei just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Asakura taking a breather here.

Asakura decides to stand back up.
Asakura ducks under a wild hook from Alexei.
Asakura follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.

Asakura gets a takedown into half guard.
Asakura has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexei is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Asakura is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Alexei gets full guard.
Asakura controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Alexei wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asakura throws a big elbow that misses.
Asakura is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Asakura stopping the sweep attempt from Alexei.
Asakura content to stall in guard here.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Asakura shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Asakura is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Alexei has managed to free his arm - good work.
Alexei wants to improve his position but Asakura is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyson Asakura dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Alexei blocks a head kick by Asakura.
Alexei misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Alexei looks to land a left hand but Asakura moved out of range nicely.

Asakura has closed the distance and engaged Alexei in a clinch.

Asakura successfully pulls guard.
Asakura wants to stand and escape but Alexei is having none of it.
Asakura looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Alexei slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Asakura has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Alexei can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Asakura controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asakura is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Alexei dives into side control.
Asakura is looking for a sweep.
Alexei trying to control the position but Asakura is working away.
Alexei is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Asakura is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Asakura tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Alexei wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Alexei.
Asakura can't do much from the bottom here.
Alexei tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Tyson Asakura has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alexei tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Alexei has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Asakura avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Alexei.
Asakura is not content to let Alexei control the position.
Asakura can't do much from the bottom here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Maximilian Alexei is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Asakura bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexei throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
As Alexei backs off Asakura throws a huge counter combo but Alexei manages to avoid it all.

Asakura clinches with his opponent.
Asakura tries to pull guard but Alexei won't allow it.
Asakura has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Alexei after a bit of a struggle.
Alexei throws a head punch that misses.
Alexei is pressed up against the cage. Asakura has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Alexei down to the mat. Alexei avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Maximilian Alexei has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tyson Asakura.
Asakura shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Alexei defends it nicely.
Alexei swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Alexei throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Asakura looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Asakura fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Alexei, pushing him back against the cage.
Asakura lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Alexei.
Alexei throws a punch but it's blocked by Asakura.
Alexei wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexei fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Asakura displaying some good clinch control by pressing Alexei up against the cage.
Alexei has a couple of punches blocked by Asakura.

Asakura escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Asakura gets the takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Asakura has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Alexei avoids a punch combination nicely.

Asakura throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Alexei tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Asakura is in Alexei's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Asakura decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Alexei, up you get!
Asakura throws a leg kick but Alexei checks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tyson Asakura will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Alexei slaps away a takedown attempt from Asakura, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Asakura instigates a clinch.
Asakura'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.
Asakura blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Asakura changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Alexei fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Asakura has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Asakura scores with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alexei throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Asakura sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Asakura 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.
Alexei working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Asakura.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alexei looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Alexei can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Asakura controls the pace.

Asakura gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Asakura clinches with his opponent.

Alexei breaks from the clinch.
Alexei throws a right and a left that Asakura avoids nicely.
Asakura throws a big counter head kick but Alexei avoids it with no problem.

Asakura looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Alexei!

Asakura decides to stand up, so the ref orders Alexei to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asakura closes this distance looking for a takedown but Alexei circles away.
Maximilian Alexei has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tyson Asakura.
Alexei misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Asakura.
Alexei swings and misses with a hook to the body.
It seemed like Asakura was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Asakura closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Asakura content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Asakura works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Alexei is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
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!

Asakura breaks from the clinch.

Asakura closes the distance and clinches.
Alexei is trying to pull guard but Asakura has him pressed against the cage.
Alexei misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Asakura has picked Alexei up - he's going for a ride! Asakura dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Alexei is trying to maintain the position but Asakura is very close to passing his half guard.
Alexei is not content to let Asakura control the position.

Asakura is looking for a kimura but Alexei is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Asakura to get the leverage.
Alexei is trying to get back to full guard.
Ground and pound from Asakura.
Asakura looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Alexei with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asakura is trying to control the action in half guard but Alexei is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Asakura sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Asakura throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Alexei is in trouble now - Asakura has advanced to mount!
Asakura punishing his opponent with strikes.
Maximilian Alexei has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tyson Asakura is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Asakura dominating with strikes here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tyson Asakura comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Asakura winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tyson Asakura!