PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aslak Maitonaama (ranked 6296 p4p, 6497 weight class) and Alexander Sovotnikov (ranked 632 p4p, 645 weight class). Alexander Sovotnikov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Aslak Maitonaama's chin.

Maitonaama
vs
Sovotnikov

185 cm
18
175
1 - 2 - 0

180 cm
18
175
1 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Aslak Maitonaama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Alexander Sovotnikov!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Sandra Marshall and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sovotnikov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sovotnikov looks to land a left hand but Maitonaama moved out of range nicely.
Maitonaama scores with a punch to the head.
Maitonaama lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Sovotnikov has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Maitonaama slips a jab and a cross from Sovotnikov.
Sovotnikov throws the left hand but Maitonaama avoids the punch easily.
A little feinted left hand from Maitonaama on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
No luck for Sovotnikov with that takedown attempt.
Sovotnikov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Maitonaama defends it nicely.
Maitonaama takes a swing at Sovotnikov's ribcage but misses.

Maitonaama closes the distance and pushes Sovotnikov back into the cage.

Maitonaama manages to pull guard.

Maitonaama has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sovotnikov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sovotnikov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Maitonaama keeping moving, preventing Sovotnikov from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maitonaama looking for a sweep. Not yet Maitonaama, not yet.
Sovotnikov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sovotnikov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sovotnikov throws a big right hand that misses.
Sovotnikov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Maitonaama has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sovotnikov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Maitonaama is looking for a triangle but Sovotnikov pushes his legs off easily.
Maitonaama looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sovotnikov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sovotnikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Maitonaama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sovotnikov throwing strikes but missing.
Sovotnikov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sovotnikov wants to control from the top but Maitonaama keeps moving.
Sovotnikov looking to sit in guard and control but Maitonaama gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Maitonaama postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Sovotnikov is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Maitonaama, into his guard.

Sovotnikov throws an elbow that misses. Maitonaama uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sovotnikov's guard. Nice move by Maitonaama!

Sovotnikov keeping moving, preventing Maitonaama from controlling successfully.
Maitonaama preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maitonaama trying to move into half guard but instead Sovotnikov has managed to sweep!

Maitonaama on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Maitonaama tries to get out of the position.
Maitonaama preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sovotnikov postures up in Maitonaama's guard and throws a big left but Maitonaama blocks it.
Maitonaama working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sovotnikov.
Maitonaama keeping moving, preventing Sovotnikov from controlling successfully.

Maitonaama looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sovotnikov postures up.
Maitonaama seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maitonaama keeping moving, preventing Sovotnikov from controlling successfully.
Sovotnikov looking to pass the guard.
Sovotnikov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Maitonaama is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sovotnikov throws a strike but Maitonaama rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sovotnikov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Maitonaama is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sovotnikov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Sovotnikov wants to sweep but no luck.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Aslak Maitonaama will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Maitonaama ducks under a wild hook from Sovotnikov.
Maitonaama slips under a jab.
Maitonaama changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Sovotnikov misses with a body kick.
Maitonaama half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Maitonaama throws out a loose jab but Sovotnikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sovotnikov throws a chopping leg kick but Maitonaama manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Maitonaama.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Sovotnikov closes the distance and clinches up with Maitonaama, looking for a takedown. Sovotnikov pushes Maitonaama against the cage but Maitonaama circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A punch combination from Sovotnikov misses.
Maitonaama keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Maitonaama gets caught flat footed, as Sovotnikov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Maitonaama keeping moving, preventing Sovotnikov from controlling successfully.
Sovotnikov is looking to work some ground and pound but Maitonaama has wrist control.
Maitonaama keeping moving, preventing Sovotnikov from controlling successfully.
Sovotnikov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maitonaama is keeping the position for now.
Maitonaama looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sovotnikov is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sovotnikov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Maitonaama throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Maitonaama utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sovotnikov throwing strikes from guard but Maitonaama blocks nicely.
Sovotnikov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sovotnikov postures up in Maitonaama's guard and throws a big left but Maitonaama blocks it.
Sovotnikov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Sovotnikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Maitonaama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Sovotnikov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Maitonaama works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Maitonaama is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Maitonaama throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sovotnikov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A big right from Sovotnikov misses.
Maitonaama darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Sovotnikov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Maitonaama counters with a stiff right hand.
Maitonaama scores with a jab to the head.
Maitonaama will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sovotnikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Maitonaama closes the distance and pushes Sovotnikov back into the cage.
Maitonaama managing to block the knees to the body from Sovotnikov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sovotnikov tries to break the clinch but Maitonaama is controlling the position.
Sovotnikov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Maitonaama is defending well for now.
Sovotnikov is trying to break free.
Sovotnikov tries to break the clinch but Maitonaama is controlling the position.
Maitonaama lands with a short shot to the head.
Sovotnikov is trying to break free.
Maitonaama keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sovotnikov's efforts to push away.
Maitonaama leaning his opponent against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Sovotnikov fails to land.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Sovotnikov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Maitonaama's brow.
Maitonaama throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sovotnikovs head.
Sovotnikov tries to stall but Maitonaama uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Maitonaama lands a body shot in the clinch.
Maitonaama stops a takedown attempt from Sovotnikov.
Maitonaama blocks an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maitonaama lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sovotnikov is working for takedown but Maitonaama is calmly controlling the position for now.
Aslak Maitonaama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Sovotnikov.
Sovotnikov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Maitonaama softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Sovotnikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Maitonaama gets control of Sovotnikov's arms and successfully pulls guard. Maitonaama will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Maitonaama is trying to control the position but Sovotnikov postures up.
Maitonaama is really struggling to control Sovotnikov but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Sovotnikov throws a big elbow that misses.
Sovotnikov throwing strikes but missing.

Sovotnikov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Maitonaama has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sovotnikov has managed to get both his arms back between Maitonaama's legs - danger averted.
Sovotnikov postures up in Maitonaama's guard and throws a big left but Maitonaama blocks it.

Maitonaama is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sovotnikov is aware though and is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aslak Maitonaama dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Maitonaama tests Sovotnikov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sovotnikov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Sovotnikov throws a looping overhand right but Maitonaama ducks down to avoid it.
Maitonaama uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sovotnikov.
Sovotnikov throws a right and a left that Maitonaama avoids nicely.
Sovotnikov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Maitonaama counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Maitonaama.
Maitonaama trying to control the position from guard on top but Sovotnikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maitonaama wants to pass the guard but Sovotnikov is keeping the position.
Maitonaama won't allow Sovotnikov to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maitonaama wants to control from the top but Sovotnikov keeps moving.
Sovotnikov wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sovotnikov is pulling down on Maitonaama's head. It's preventing any offense from Maitonaama, at least for the moment.
Sovotnikov keeping moving, preventing Maitonaama from controlling successfully.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Maitonaama is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Sovotnikov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Maitonaama slips a jab from Sovotnikov.
Maitonaama fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Sovotnikov on the side of the head.
Aslak Maitonaama is winning the standup battle so far.
Donk. Maitonaama catches Sovotnikov right on the button with a cross.
Alexander Sovotnikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Maitonaama shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Sovotnikov napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Sovotnikov tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maitonaama is trying to control but Sovotnikov is trying to escape here - he's now mounted.
Maitonaama controlling the pace for now.
Maitonaama trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Aslak Maitonaama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sovotnikov tries to lock up and control but Maitonaama gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
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!
Sovotnikov is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sovotnikov is still trying to improve position.
Maitonaama tries to control but Sovotnikov wriggling away.
Sovotnikov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Maitonaama trying to control but Sovotnikov is having none of it.
Sovotnikov is controlling an arm, preventing Maitonaama from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Alexander Sovotnikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aslak Maitonaama is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Maitonaama can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sovotnikov is looking to escape.
Sovotnikov tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maitonaama trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sovotnikov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Maitonaama wants to control the pace but Sovotnikov is squirming around nicely.
Maitonaama wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sovotnikov is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aslak Maitonaama showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Maitonaama 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:27
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aslak Maitonaama!