PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alan Spence (ranked 2193 p4p, 2266 weight class) and Alexander Rusev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Spence 's entrance music is Were Coming. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Spence
vs
Rusev

185 cm
38
186
18 - 13 - 1

170 cm
23
174
9 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Seventh Circle Clothing

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 18 - 13 - 1, fighting out of London, Alan Spence !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alexander Rusev!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Paul Tew and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Spence takes the fight into the clinch.
Spence lands with a left to the head.
Rusev tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Spence just stands there and leans against the cage.
Rusev jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Spence walks away with a smile on his face. Rusev gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Rusev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A jab from Spence finds it's way through Rusev's defenses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rusev is defended easily by Spence .
Alan Spence has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Rusev.
Rusev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rusev shoots in for a takedown but Spence shows good takedown defense.
Spence slaps away a takedown attempt from Rusev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rusev on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Rusev goes for a double leg but Spence avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Spence continues to drive forward.
Spence fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rusev manages to avoid it.
Alexander Rusev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Spence instigates a clinch.
Rusev is trying to pull guard but Spence turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spence swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Spence manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A left hand lands to the body for Spence .
Spence makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Rusev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rusev takes a shot to the head.
Spence gets underhooks to prevent Rusev's takedown attempt.
Rusev fails to pull guard.
Rusev fails to pull guard.
Rusev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Spence lands with a short shot to the head.
Rusev tries to break the clinch but Spence is controlling the position.
A short uppercut from Spence .

Rusev breaks the clinch.
Spence scores with a sloppy right hand. Rusev should have avoided that one.
Rusev ducks right into an uppercut from Spence .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Spence lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Spence buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Spence connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Rusev has his takedown stuffed
and Spence cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Spence is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Spence is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Rusev gets tackled into the cage by Spence . Spence maintains the clinch.
Spence controlling the action here for a moment.
Spence doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Rusev is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Spence to keep the fight standing.
Spence makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Spence lands a hook that snaps the head of Rusev backwards.
Spence lands a body punch in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Spence .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spence scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rusev jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Spence walks away with a smile on his face. Rusev gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Rusev takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Rusev on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Spence lands an overhand right.
Rusev takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Alan Spence is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A cross from Spence lands.
Rusev tries for a takedown but Spence sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Spence connects with a right hand. Rusev shakes it off.
Spence throws a body shot but no joy.
Spence throws the kick towards the body but Rusev avoids it.
Rusev with the counter takedown but Spence avoids it easily.
Spence lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Spence drives through and clinches with Rusev against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Spence misses with some punches.
Rusev fails to pull guard.
Spence lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rusev backwards.
Rusev tries to pull guard but Spence won't allow it.
Spence lands a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rusev is working for takedown but Spence is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rusev tries for a takedown but Spence manages to get underhooks.
Spence lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rusev backwards.
Spence tries a body shot but Rusev blocks it.
Spence works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Spence is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Spence gets through Rusev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Rusev fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Spence is pushing Rusev up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Spence is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Rusev is looking for a takedown.
Rusev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Spence lands with a right to the head.
Spence lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rusev backwards.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rusev can't get the takedown.
Spence definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Rusev looks winded!
Spence works on Rusev's body with a couple of short punches.
Spence scores with a shoulder strike.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rusev with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Spence to score with a decent uppercut.
Spence connects with a body shot that sends Rusev's belly button to the back.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rusev.
Spence slaps away a takedown attempt from Rusev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
No luck for Rusev with that takedown attempt.
Alan Spence has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Rusev.
Rusev drops his hands momentarily and Spence takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Spence .
Rusev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Rusev shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Spence counters with a straight right hand.
Rusev with a lazy takedown attempt
and Spence counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Spence stuffs the takedown.
Rusev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Spence as he avoids it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rusev.
Rusev is breathing heavily.
Rusev working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spence stops Rusev from passing to mount.
Spence gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Rusev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rusev working Spence over with strikes.
Rusev thows a huge punch but Spence dodges it nicely.
Rusev working the head and body with strikes.
Spence is trying to maintain the position but Rusev is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rusev looks to land a strike but Spence avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Rusev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rusev won't allow Spence to sweep him here.
Rusev prevents Spence from getting back to his feet.
Rusev throws an elbow that misses. Spence uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rusev's guard. Nice move by Spence !

Our spies down at at California Top Team inform us that Rusev has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Spence content to stall in guard here.
Rusev wants to hit a sweep here but Spence passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Rusev there!
Spence will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Spence can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rusev is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spence avoids the attempt from Rusev to control.
Spence looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Rusev tries to hold on but Spence postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spence controlling from mount.
Spence is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rusev can do to turn this around?
Rusev working to try and regain half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alan Spence dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Spence connects with a jab.
Rusev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Spence 's waist but Spence gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rusev off to one side.
A counter left hand to the body from Spence misses its target.
Spence connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rusev. Rusev circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rusev is defended easily by Spence .
Spence lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Spence looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rusev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Spence as he jumps to the side.
Alan Spence has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Rusev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rusev fails with the takedown.
It looked like Spence was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Rusev.
Spence works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Spence lands a jab to the nose.
The fighters circle momentarily. Spence darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Alexander Rusev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spence smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Good leg kick by Spence .
Spence scores with the left hand. Rusev knows he should have avoided that one.
Rusev with a poor takedown
enabling Spence to counter with a crisp jab.
Spence fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Horrible takedown attempt by Rusev or perhaps it was just good defense by Spence , which made it look bad.
Rusev shoots in looking for a takedown but Spence manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rusev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rusev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Spence defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rusev.
Rusev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Spence sprawls well. Spence wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rusev gets slowly back to his feet.
Spence jabs Rusev to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Spence moves into the clinch successfully.
Rusev changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Spence fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Rusev walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Spence lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rusev's sensitive parts.
Spence slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Spence lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Rusev shoots for a takedown but Spence saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A counter left hand to the body from Spence misses its target.
Spence is looking to slow Rusev down with leg kicks.
Rusev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Spence smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Rusev shoots in for a takedown but Spence shows good takedown defense.
Spence pushes Rusev away with a front kick.
Alan Spence is winning the standup battle so far.
Rusev closes the distance and clinches up with Spence , looking for a takedown. Rusev pushes Spence against the cage but Spence circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rusev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nice body punch from Spence .
Alan Spence is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rusev's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rusev walks into a straight right hand from Spence .
Spence darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Spence works Rusev's body with a nice hook.
Rusev misses with a takedown
and Spence counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rusev shoots in for a takedown but Spence shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Spence connects with an inside leg kick.
Rusev has a takedown stuffed.
Spence scores with a sloppy right hand. Rusev should have avoided that one.
Spence throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Rusev.
Alexander Rusev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rusev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Spence is fending him off so far but Rusev persists. Nope, Spence circles away and we're back to standing.
Spence lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Spence keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rusev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Spence swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Spence scores with a hook to the body. Rusev takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A head kick from Spence lands but Rusev takes it in his stride.
Jab by Spence .

Rusev is rocked!
Rusev closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Rusev is still on wobbly legs! Can Spence finish him?
Spence leaves Rusev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rusev takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rusev seems to have recovered his senses.
Spence scores with a jab to the body.
Spence connects with a single shot there.
Spence moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Rusev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Spence defends it nicely.
Spence scores with a jab. Rusev acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alan Spence showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Spence 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:25
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:25
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alan Spence !
Alan Spence seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.