PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anderlei Noguieranenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Axel Excel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Excel is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Everything Zen- Bush. Axel Excel has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Noguieranenko
vs
Excel

197 cm
21
273 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

205 cm
23
254 lbs
7 - 4 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Anderlei Noguieranenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Axel Excel!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Sergei Dronov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excel clinches up with Noguieranenko and pushes him back against the cage.
Excel wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Excel keeps control of Noguieranenko as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Excel looking for a takedown.

Excel manages to break the clinch.

Excel throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Noguieranenko was covering up waiting for the punch and Excel finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Excel is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Noguieranenko is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Excel is controlling him.

Noguieranenko pushes Excel off and scrambles back to his feet.
Noguieranenko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Noguieranenko on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Excel dodges the punch combination from Noguieranenko.
Excel looks for a takedown but Noguieranenko sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Excel shoots for a takedown but Noguieranenko saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Anderlei Noguieranenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Axel Excel.
Excel misses with a takedown attempt - Noguieranenko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Excel lands with a nice combination. Noguieranenko backs away looking to recover.

Excel decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Excel prevents Noguieranenko from standing back up.
Excel performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Excel is trying to control the action in half guard but Noguieranenko is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Noguieranenko wants to get back to his feet.
Excel wants to lay and pray for a moment but Noguieranenko keeps working.
Noguieranenko pushes Excel off looking to stand but Excel dives back in and keeps control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Noguieranenko is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Excel not doing much here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Excel misses with a double jab
and Noguieranenko counters with a body kick.
Noguieranenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Excel.
Noguieranenko tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Anderlei Noguieranenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Noguieranenko throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Excel counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Noguieranenko misses with a head kick.
Excel slips a jab and a cross from Noguieranenko.
Excel dives in and grabs Noguieranenko's left leg, looking for a takedown. Noguieranenko pushes down on Excel's head and hops out.
Nice defenses there by Excel.
Excel lands with a kick to the temple. Noguieranenko shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Noguieranenko throws a sloppy head kick

and Excel counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Excel with a nice head shot there.
Excel sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Noguieranenko wants to get back to his feet but Excel is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Excel stands up and waves to Noguieranenko to follow him.
A head kick misses from Excel.
Noguieranenko goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Excel shoots in but Noguieranenko avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Noguieranenko darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Noguieranenko slips a jab and a cross from Excel.
Noguieranenko lands with a kick to the temple. Excel shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Excel shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Noguieranenko defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Excel chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Noguieranenko can pounce on him.
Noguieranenko throws a leg kick
and Excel counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Noguieranenko connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Noguieranenko lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Noguieranenko blocks a head kick by Excel.
Noguieranenko throws a sloppy head kick
and Excel counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Excel throws a left and a right that both miss
and Noguieranenko counters with a leg kick.
Noguieranenko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Noguieranenko leaves Excel with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Noguieranenko tries to clinch but Excel moves away
and Excel counters with a nice uppercut.
Excel lands a head kick!
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!
A chopping leg kick lands by Noguieranenko.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Anderlei Noguieranenko will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Noguieranenko throws a combination that misses
and Excel counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Excel scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Excel pushes Noguieranenko up against the cage in a clinch.
Noguieranenko jumps guard but Excel stands there with Noguieranenko around his waist. Noguieranenko gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Noguieranenko is trying to break the clinch but Excel is controlling him.

Noguieranenko drags the fight down to the ground.
Excel trying to control but Noguieranenko is working from the bottom.
Excel must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Excel controlling from the top position.
Excel trying to control but Noguieranenko is working from the bottom.
Excel is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Excel stops Noguieranenko from standing up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Excel slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Excel's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Excel trying to control but Noguieranenko is working from the bottom.

Noguieranenko is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Noguieranenko is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Noguieranenko wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anderlei Noguieranenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Noguieranenko goes for a takedown in the clinch but Excel prevents it.

Excel ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Excel no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Excel trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Excel is on top in guard.
Excel is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

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

Excel breaks from the clinch.
Noguieranenko waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Excel.

Excel darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Excel works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Excel controlling the position easily from mount.
Excel trying to control but Noguieranenko is having none of it.
Excel takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Noguieranenko squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Excel is landing with some decent strikes but Noguieranenko is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Noguieranenko is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Excel controlling the pace for now.

Despite being in the dominant position, Axel Excel just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Excel tries to bum rush Noguieranenko with a series of wild strikes but Noguieranenko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Excel moves into the clinch successfully.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Excel. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Excel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Noguieranenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Excel fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Excel avoids the head kick by Noguieranenko.
Excel swinging wilding here.
A punch combination from Excel misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Axel Excel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Excel looks for a takedown but Noguieranenko sprawls well.
Excel looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Noguieranenko is fending him off so far but Excel persists. Nope, Noguieranenko circles away and we're back to standing.
A head kick misses from Excel.
Noguieranenko throws a leg kick but Excel checks it.
Noguieranenko misses with a head kick.
Noguieranenko avoids a punch combination nicely.
Excel lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Excel looks for a takedown but Noguieranenko sprawls well.
Anderlei Noguieranenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Axel Excel.
Noguieranenko fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Excel shoots for a double leg takedown but Noguieranenko sprawls well. He's pushed Excel's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Excel throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Good work by Excel as he checks the leg kick.
Noguieranenko leaves Excel with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Noguieranenko wants to clinch up but Excel keeps it at a distance.
Excel looks for a takedown but Noguieranenko sprawls well.
Anderlei Noguieranenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Noguieranenko throws a combination that misses

and Excel counters with a nice double leg into side control. Noguieranenko won't be happy with that.
Noguieranenko is trying to get back to his feet.
Noguieranenko is letting Excel control him for a moment.
Excel wants to control but Noguieranenko is keeping him busy.
Noguieranenko wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Excel trying to control the action but Noguieranenko is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Excel throws a head kick that misses
and Noguieranenko finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Noguieranenko throws a head kick but Excel moves out of range.
Noguieranenko tries to land a front kick but Excel steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Excel looks to land a combination but Noguieranenko avoids it well.
Left hook, right uppercut from Excel.
Excel tries to score a power double leg takedown but Noguieranenko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Excel somewhat.
Excel avoids the head kick by Noguieranenko.
Noguieranenko swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Excel moves into the clinch.
A short left from Excel.
Noguieranenko gets underhooks to prevent Excel's takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Excel's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Noguieranenko with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Noguieranenko tries to pull guard but Excel won't allow it.
Excel prevents Noguieranenko from breaking the clinch.
Excel is struggling to control the position.
Excel avoiding damage as Noguieranenko throws knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Noguieranenko has had enough of the clinch but Excel keeps him there for the moment.
Noguieranenko fails to pull guard.
Noguieranenko is trying to drag Excel to the mat but Excel just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Noguieranenko wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Excel's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Danga de danga de dang - Excel scores with a four punch combination!
A slapping body kick lands there for Noguieranenko.
Excel takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Excel throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Noguieranenko was covering up waiting for the punch and Excel finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Excel trying to control the position from guard on top but Noguieranenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Excel's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Noguieranenko keeping moving, preventing Excel from controlling successfully.
Excel stays in close to Noguieranenko's body and controls the position.
Axel Excel has got the better of the ground game so far.

Noguieranenko pushes Excel off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Noguieranenko moves into range and connects with a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Axel Excel.
I think Excel has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Axel Excel!