PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexi Laiho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brad Ryan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Laiho comes to the cage accompanied by Lookin' Out My Backdoor. Ryan has chosen Freestyler as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Laiho
vs
Ryan

177 cm
22
167 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

175 cm
27
164 lbs
13 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

ADCC Champion
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Syndicate Drugs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexi Laiho!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Brad Ryan!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Ivan Kurochkin and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Laiho slaps away a takedown attempt from Ryan, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Laiho misses with a wild body shot.
Ryan looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Nice sprawl there from Laiho as Ryan shoots in.
Ryan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Laiho paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ryan takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ryan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Laiho.
Laiho defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ryan.
Alexi Laiho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brad Ryan.
Laiho throws a hook to the side of Ryan's head but Ryan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A combination from Laiho does no damage.
Alexi Laiho seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Laiho uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ryan has time to react.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laiho staying out of range there.
Ryan doesn't manage to clinch there - Laiho circles away.
A swing and a miss from Laiho.
Laiho rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ryan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ryan swings for the body but Laiho moves out of range.

Ryan closes the distance and pushes Laiho back into the cage.
Laiho is pressed up against the cage. Ryan has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Laiho down to the mat. Laiho avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ryan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Laiho misses with a kick to the body.
Laiho digs a good hook to Ryan's body.

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.
Laiho misses with a straight right.
Laiho displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ryan.
Laiho scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Laiho throws a right and a left that Ryan avoids nicely.
Laiho misses with an uppercut. Ryan saw that one coming.
Ryan misses with a body shot.
Laiho throws a series of punches but Ryan avoids them all with ease.
Ryan shoots in for a takedown but Laiho shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A left lands for Laiho.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ryan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Laiho tries to avoid it but Ryan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Laiho to the ground. Laiho escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Laiho fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ryan throws a hook but Laiho blocks it.
Laiho swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Laiho misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Laiho connects with a body shot.
Ryan tries to score a power double leg takedown but Laiho sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ryan somewhat.
Ryan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Laiho.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Laiho throws a shot to the body.
Nice defenses there by Ryan.
Laiho lands with a nice combination. Ryan backs away looking to recover.
Laiho misses the shot to the body.
Laiho misses with a hook. Ryan ducked under it nicely.
Nice takedown defense from Laiho. No joy for Ryan on that attempt.
Laiho circles away from the clinch attempt.
Laiho throws a right and a left that both miss.
Laiho will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ryan slips under a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ryan shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Laiho sprawls well. Laiho wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ryan gets slowly back to his feet.
A swing and a miss from Laiho.
Laiho lands a jab to the nose.
Laiho lands with a nice body punch.
Laiho stuffs the takedown.
Ryan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Laiho.
Laiho with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Alexi Laiho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brad Ryan.
Ryan misses with a kick to the body
and Laiho counters with a right hand to the body.
A decent looking cross lands there for Laiho.
Ryan avoids a punch combination nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ryan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Laiho scores with a jab to the head.
Laiho misses with a two punch combination.
Laiho goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laiho scores with a jab. Ryan acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Ryan with a poor takedown
enabling Laiho to counter with a crisp jab.
Laiho looks to land a combination but Ryan avoids it well.
Ryan is trying desperately to land a takedown but Laiho is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Ryan.
Nice defenses there by Ryan.
Ryan with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ryan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ryan takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ryan is breathing heavily.
Laiho connects with the punch.
Ryan is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Laiho.
Ryan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
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!
Ryan tries for a takedown but Laiho circles away easily
and Laiho counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laiho lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Laiho.
Ryan misses with a takedown attempt
and Laiho counters with a three punch combo that has Ryan backing up. Ryan nods at Laiho to acknowledge the strikes.
Laiho misses with a looping right.
Laiho throws an overhand right that lands on Ryan's shoulder, as Ryan tries to avoid the shot.
Laiho fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ryan looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Laiho throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Laiho throws a right and a left that Ryan avoids nicely.
Laiho connects with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ryan looks for a takedown but Laiho sprawls well.
Laiho scores with a three punch combo!
Laiho throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ryan.
Laiho misses with an uppercut. Ryan saw that one coming.
Laiho throws a right and a left that both miss.
A left and a right from Laiho both land. Nice combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Laiho misses with a few strikes there.
Laiho misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ryan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexi Laiho dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ryan doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Laiho counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ryan has his takedown stuffed
and Laiho counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Laiho avoids the body shot from Ryan.
Ryan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Laiho throws a hook but Ryan avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laiho lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Ryan drops his hands momentarily and Laiho takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Alexi Laiho is winning the standup battle so far.
Ryan moves out of range of the strikes.
Ryan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryan shoots in looking for a takedown. Laiho tries to sprawl out of it but Ryan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Laiho manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Alexi Laiho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brad Ryan.
Laiho connects with a jab.
Ryan takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ryan takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Jab from Laiho.
Laiho swats away the attempt to clinch by Ryan.
Laiho misses the body punch

and Ryan counters with a single leg into guard. Laiho didn't expect that.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laiho wants to stand up but Ryan is controlling him.
Ryan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Laiho swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ryan throwing strikes but missing.
Ryan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Laiho swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Laiho scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ryan slips a jab and a cross from Laiho.
Ryan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Laiho.
Ryan walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Laiho throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Laiho connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Ryan misses with a straight right.
Laiho lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's four 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.
Laiho throws a one two combo.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Laiho lands a nice looking body shot.

Ryan shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Laiho is trying to defend but Ryan finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Ryan throws a strike but Laiho avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Ryan tries to free his leg and advance position but Laiho is retaining full guard.
Ryan throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ryan throws and elbow that misses. Laiho uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ryan's guard. Nice move by Laiho!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexi Laiho clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ryan closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Laiho did well to prevent Ryan getting side control.
Laiho is trying to stand up here but Ryan is controlling him well.
Ryan trying to mount his opponent but Laiho defends it.
Ryan wants to control but Laiho is keeping him busy.
Ryan not landing any meaningful shots this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ryan not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Laiho keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ryan is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Ryan thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Laiho to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryan throws and elbow that misses. Laiho uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ryan's guard. Nice move by Laiho!

Ryan had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Laiho defends it easily.

Laiho decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Ryan, up you get!
Laiho misses with a combination

and Ryan counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Laiho's guard now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laiho wants to stand up but Ryan is controlling him.
Ryan passes Laiho's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Ryan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ryan not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ryan moves into full mount! Laiho won't be happy about that!
Laiho blocking the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laiho is squirming around, avoiding Ryan's attempts to control the action.
Laiho's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Ryan throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Ryan looking to ground and pound but Laiho is blocking nicely.
Ryan looking to ground and pound but Laiho is blocking nicely.
Laiho is squirming around, avoiding Ryan's attempts to control the action.
Ryan has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

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.

Ryan jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Laiho is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Laiho and Ryan has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Laiho managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Ryan.
Laiho managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Ryan.
Ryan cracks Laiho with a big right hand but Laiho just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Laiho is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Ryan asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Ryan throwing strikes but Laiho manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brad Ryan dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Ryan moves out of range of the strikes.
Laiho throws a combination that misses

so Ryan counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ryan in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Laiho is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ryan is controlling him.
Ryanis looking to pass into half guard but Laiho pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Laiho is in guard.
Ryan looking to control.
Ryan has Laiho pulled in close to control his posture.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Ryan lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Laiho!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryan looking to land elbow strikes but Laiho uses the position to regain half guard.
Ryan wants to pass the guard but Laiho is defending well.
Ryan thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Laiho's head.
Brad Ryan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ryan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Laiho regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Ryan.
Ryan throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Laiho works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ryan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Laiho keeping full guard, as Ryan tries to pass.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Laiho looks to land a left hand but Ryan moved out of range nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laiho misses with a body shot.
Ryan blocks a jab.
Laiho lands a head shot.
Laiho sizes up Ryan with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Alexi Laiho is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ryan defending well as Laiho loads up on a big left hand.
Laiho cracks Ryan with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Ryan lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Alexi Laiho is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ryan shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Laiho counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Laiho lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Laiho lands a two punch combo.
Laiho dodges the punch combination from Ryan.
Ryan misses with a body shot.
Laiho misses with a few strikes there.
A punch combination from Laiho misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ryan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Laiho throws a series of punches but Ryan moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Brad Ryan.
I think Laiho has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 48:46
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 48:46
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 48:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexi Laiho!
Alexi Laiho retains his lightweight title!