PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandar Volkanovski (ranked 3231 p4p, 3785 weight class) and Alex Alexandrov (ranked 382 p4p, 421 weight class). Volkanovski comes into the arena with 2pac - Hail Mary blaring out of the sound system. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Alex Alexandrov was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Volkanovski
vs
Alexandrov

193 cm
37
217
14 - 20 - 1

188 cm
39
205
32 - 37 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Silverguard Outfitters ðŸ›¡
Furnace Performance ðŸ”¥

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 14 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aleksandar Volkanovski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 37 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alex Alexandrov!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Taro Takaoka and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Alexandrov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Volkanovski was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Volkanovski shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Alexandrov as he avoids it easily.
Volkanovski misses with a body kick.
Alexandrov feints a counter leg kick.

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

Alexandrov pulls Volkanovski into guard.
Volkanovski stops Alexandrov from standing up.
Volkanovski forces his way into half guard.
Volkanovski is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Alexandrov!

Volkanovski is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Alexandrov is surviving well by controlling Volkanovski's body position as best he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Alexandrov defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Volkanovski.
Alexandrov wants to hold on but Volkanovski pushes him away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Volkanovski with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexandrov is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Volkanovski throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

Volkanovski is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Alexandrov has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Volkanovski trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Alexandrov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Volkanovski working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Volkanovski is working for a guillotine from mount but Alexandrov frees his head quite easily.

Alexandrov defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Volkanovski.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov wants to control but Volkanovski is having none of it.
Alexandrov squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Volkanovski looking to control but Alexandrov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Alexandrov is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Alexandrov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Volkanovski can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Alexandrov is looking to escape.
Alexandrov gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov is doing well to control the position and prevent Volkanovski from advancing to side control.
Alexandrov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Alexandrov manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Alexandrov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Volkanovski swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Volkanovski lands a head kick. Alexandrov smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Alexandrov moves into the clinch.

Volkanovski has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Alexandrov uses from the top position.

Volkanovski working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Alexandrov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Volkanovski is tightening it up a little... Alexandrov has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Alexandrov reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Alexandrov taps out! Nice BJJ there by Volkanovski!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Aleksandar Volkanovski!
A very excited looking Aleksandar Volkanovski made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.