PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Damar Sulekov (ranked 1103 p4p, 1859 weight class) and Alistair Ubereem (ranked 76 p4p, 127 weight class). 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 Alistair Ubereem was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Sulekov
vs
Ubereem

190 cm
32
280
16 - 10 - 0

196 cm
35
270
21 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Damar Sulekov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 13 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alistair Ubereem!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ubereem pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ubereem has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

Ubereem tries to keep at a distance but Sulekov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Sulekov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ubereem pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ubereem throws a head kick that misses.

Sulekov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sulekov lands a right hand.

It looks like Alistair Ubereem has been cut.
Sulekov has Ubereem pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ubereem manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Sulekov has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Ubereem is trying to keep an underhook but Sulekov manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Sulekov stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sulekov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Sulekov controlling the action here.
Sulekov throwing shots but Ubereem is blocking nicely.
Ubereem wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sulekov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Ubereem trying to control but Sulekov postures up.
Well, if Sulekov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

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.
Sulekov seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Ubereem for as long as he can get away with.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sulekov misses with an uppercut
and Ubereem counters with an outside leg kick.

Sulekov pushes Ubereem up against the cage in a clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Sulekov.
Sulekov is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damar Sulekov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ubereem swings wildly with an uppercut but Sulekov uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ubereem pushes Sulekov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sulekov misses with some punches.
Ubereem digs a right hand into Sulekov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Sulekov's gas tank.
Sulekov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ubereem blocks an uppercut.
Sulekov lands with a short shot to the head.
Sulekov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sulekov avoiding damage.
Ubereem tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sulekov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ubereem gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Sulekov.
Ubereem tries to work over Sulekov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sulekov throws a punch but it's blocked by Ubereem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Ubereem.
Ubereem blocks an uppercut.
Sulekov blocks a body shot from Ubereem.
Sulekov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ubereem prevents it.
Sulekov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ubereem misses with a punch on the inside.
Sulekov misses with a short punch on the inside.

Sulekov turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Sulekov manages to end up in side control.

Ubereem throws Sulekov to one side and escapes!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ubereem lands a front kick.
Sulekov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ubereem manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ubereem doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Ubereem moves away from the strike by Sulekov.
Sulekov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sulekov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ubereem catches Sulekov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

It looks like Damar Sulekov has been cut.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ubereem.
Ubereem circles away from the clinch attempt.
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 Damar Sulekov will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sulekov misses with a straight left.

Sulekov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sulekov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sulekov has a couple of punches blocked by Ubereem.
Ubereem blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ubereem misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sulekov is struggling to control the position.
Ubereem tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sulekov effectively controlling the action here.
Ubereem gets underhooks to prevent Sulekov's takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sulekov lands a nice uppercut.
Ubereem swings wildly with an uppercut but Sulekov uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right from Sulekov.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sulekov.
Sulekov lands with a right to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short left from Ubereem.
Sulekov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ubereem tries a body shot but Sulekov blocks it.
Sulekov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sulekov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ubereem backwards.
Damar Sulekov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Ubereem misses with a punch to the body.
Sulekov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ubereem tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ubereem misses with a body punch.
Sulekov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damar Sulekov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ubereem misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sulekov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Ubereem lands with a left to the head.
Ubereem presses Sulekov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sulekov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ubereem misses with some punches.
Sulekov has a couple of punches blocked by Ubereem.
Sulekov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ubereem throws a punch but it's blocked by Sulekov.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ubereem.
Ubereem stops a takedown attempt from Sulekov.
Ubereem tries to throw a body punch but Sulekov avoids it by throwing Ubereem back against the cage.
Ubereem lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Sulekov or not.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ubereem is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Sulekov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Sulekov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ubereem blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sulekov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ubereem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ubereem is pressed up against the cage. Sulekov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ubereem down to the mat. Ubereem avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Damar Sulekov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sulekov misses with a looping right.
Sulekov walks forward, straight into a front kick from Ubereem.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ubereem lands a nice looking body kick.
Alistair Ubereem is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ubereem fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ubereem pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ubereem swings for the body but Sulekov moves out of range.
Ubereem staying out of range there.
Ubereem scores with a sloppy right hand. Sulekov should have avoided that one.
Ubereem cracks a nice hook into Sulekov's ribs.
Ubereem dips to his left and cracks Sulekov with an uppercut!
Sulekov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ubereem can pounce on him.
Ubereem with a nice calf kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sulekov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ubereem lands a right hook to the body.
Ubereem bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ubereem.
Alistair Ubereem seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ubereem swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sulekov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ubereem.
Ubereem pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ubereem is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Sulekov rather than just go for the knockout.
Sulekov fails with the takedown
and Ubereem counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Sulekov thinking.
Nice body punch from Ubereem.
Sulekov steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Ubereem. That one must have hurt.
Sulekov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
The crowd cheers as Ubereem lands an impressive looking overhand right. Sulekov doesn't seem phased though.
Ubereem has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ubereem lands with a shot to the body.
Ubereem misses with a body kick.
Ubereem lands a right hook to the body.
Sulekov blocks a head kick by Ubereem.
Ubereem moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alistair Ubereem showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ubereem swings for the body but Sulekov moves out of range.

Sulekov moves into the clinch.
Sulekov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ubereem is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sulekov swings wildly with an uppercut but Ubereem uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sulekov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Sulekov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ubereem is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sulekov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ubereem blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ubereem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sulekov pushes Ubereem back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
I was talking to Sulekov's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Ubereem is pressed up against the cage. Sulekov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ubereem down to the mat. Ubereem avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damar Sulekov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ubereem waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sulekov.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sulekov ducks under a wild hook from Ubereem.
Sulekov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ubereem paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sulekov tries to clinch up
and Ubereem cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sulekov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nice shot by Ubereem.

Damar Sulekov's cut is getting worse.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Ubereem enables Sulekov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Ubereem manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Ubereem is adopting a defensive guard.
Ubereem is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sulekov is fighting to break Ubereem's control of his arms but Ubereem is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Sulekov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ubereem pulls Sulekov in close to prevent any damage.
Ubereem trying to keep a closed guard but Sulekov is proving a slippery customer.
Ubereem looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sulekov is one step ahead there.
Sulekov is stalling in the full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Sulekov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sulekov wants to clinch up but Ubereem keeps it at a distance.
Ubereem throws out a counter right but Sulekov avoids it with no problem.
Ubereem slips under a jab from Sulekov.
Sulekov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ubereem pinned against the cage. Ubereem gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ubereem moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Sulekov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ubereem avoids it really well and circles away.
Sulekov wants to clinch.
Sulekov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ubereem throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sulekov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Damar Sulekov's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Sulekov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Sulekov moves to clinch but Ubereem breaks away
and Ubereem counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Jeez, Damar Sulekov's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Sulekov, as that shot connected.
Sulekov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ubereem throws out a powerful jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ubereem with a jab.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Damar Sulekov's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Alistair Ubereem!
A relieved looking Alistair Ubereem thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.