PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between GAB SABANGAN (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eddie Alkofer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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 Eddie Alkofer was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

SABANGAN
vs
Alkofer

185 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

205 cm
18
192 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, GAB SABANGAN!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eddie Alkofer!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Valeri Chadov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Alkofer.
Alkofer looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Alkofer tries to score a power double leg takedown but SABANGAN sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Alkofer somewhat.
GAB SABANGAN has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eddie Alkofer.

SABANGAN changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Alkofer looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Alkofer takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
SABANGAN taking a breather here.
SABANGAN postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Alkofer wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's one minute gone in the round.
SABANGAN tries to score with some ground and pound. Alkofer controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
SABANGAN slows the pace down.
Alkofer is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
SABANGAN with the ground and pound but Alkofer regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
SABANGAN content to control rather than advance.
Alkofer keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two 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.
SABANGAN trying to control from Alkofer's half guard. Alkofer has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

SABANGAN gets to his feet - Alkofer follows without any prompting.

Alkofer tries to keep at a distance but SABANGAN has taken the fight into the clinch.
SABANGAN swings wildly with an uppercut but Alkofer uses good head movement to avoid it.

SABANGAN breaks from the clinch.
Alkofer has his takedown stuffed
and SABANGAN finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Alkofer looks gassed!

SABANGAN lands a big head kick that sends Alkofer tumbling to the mat! SABANGAN takes a step backwards and waves Alkofer back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Eddie Alkofer has been cut.

SABANGAN shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. SABANGAN connects with a nice short shot to Alkofer's temple.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
SABANGAN stalling.
SABANGAN is keen to just control but Alkofer is a slippery customer.
SABANGAN throwing shots but Alkofer is blocking nicely.

That's four 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.
SABANGAN thows a huge punch but Alkofer dodges it nicely.
SABANGAN throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Alkofer is defending against the submission attempts here by SABANGAN.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
SABANGAN is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
SABANGAN 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

GAB SABANGAN dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Eddie Alkofer's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

SABANGAN looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
SABANGAN throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Alkofer works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
SABANGAN won't allow Alkofer to get back to his feet.
SABANGAN trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Alkofer keeping moving, preventing SABANGAN from controlling successfully.
SABANGAN controls from within his opponent's guard.
SABANGAN has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as SABANGAN accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Alkofer is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
SABANGAN keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Alkofer's head.
SABANGAN in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
SABANGAN might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
SABANGAN wants to control from the top but Alkofer keeps moving.
SABANGAN is really struggling to control Alkofer but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
SABANGAN slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
SABANGAN missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
SABANGAN connects with a couple of short punches.
SABANGAN sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Alkofer's guard.
SABANGAN has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Alkofer works to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
SABANGAN stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Alkofer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
SABANGAN landing some decent shots from guard.
SABANGAN is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
SABANGAN is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Alkofer keeping moving, preventing SABANGAN from controlling successfully.
SABANGAN trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
SABANGAN landing some decent shots from guard.
SABANGAN controls from within his opponent's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
SABANGAN is looking to work some ground and pound but Alkofer has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

GAB SABANGAN dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Eddie Alkofer's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

SABANGAN moves into range and clinches up with Alkofer.

SABANGAN pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

SABANGAN has Alkofer up against the cage in a clinch.

SABANGAN is fighting off a takedown attempt but Alkofer is just too persistent for him and manages to trip SABANGAN to the mat. SABANGAN regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
SABANGAN with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Alkofer can't handle though.
Alkofer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as SABANGAN works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
SABANGAN is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
SABANGAN is looking to advance position but Alkofer won't allow it.
Alkofer pushes SABANGAN off looking to stand but SABANGAN dives back in and keeps control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
SABANGAN sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Alkofer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
SABANGAN seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Alkofer for as long as he can get away with.
SABANGAN misses with a head shot. Alkofer uses the momentum to regain guard.
SABANGAN is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
SABANGAN trying to control the position from guard on top but Alkofer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

SABANGAN stands up from guard. Let's bang!

SABANGAN closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Alkofer did well to prevent SABANGAN getting side control.
SABANGAN working over Alkofer with some ground and pound. Alkofer looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
SABANGAN not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alkofer tries to kick SABANGAN off but SABANGAN keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
SABANGAN is keen to just control but Alkofer is a slippery customer.
SABANGAN throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

SABANGAN is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Alkofer is just riding it out for now. SABANGAN eventually gives up the hold.
SABANGAN is looking to take a break and control but Alkofer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

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.
SABANGAN throwing shots but Alkofer is blocking nicely.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Alkofer drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Alkofer shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and SABANGAN decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Alkofer's guard.

Alkofer kicks SABANGAN off and gets to his feet.
Eddie Alkofer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
GAB SABANGAN is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
SABANGAN throws a head kick that half lands.

And that's the end of the fight!
GAB SABANGAN showed his dominance in that final round.
Well SABANGAN 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:26
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:26
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... GAB SABANGAN!