PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vadim Halikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Alexejev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vadim Halikov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Alex Alexejev's chin.

Halikov
vs
Alexejev

174 cm
19
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
186 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vadim Halikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alex Alexejev!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Vladimir Khabensky and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alexejev is looking to clinch but Halikov is avoiding it.

Alexejev shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Halikov's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Alexejev gets to his feet. Halikov looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Alexejev gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Halikov looking to sit in guard and control but Alexejev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Alexejev wants to control from the top but Halikov keeps moving.
Alexejev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Alexejev got a little sloppy there for a moment and Halikov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Alexejev has managed to get both his arms back between Halikov's legs - danger averted.
Halikov keeping moving, preventing Alexejev from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alex Alexejev has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Alexejev shoots and misses

and Halikov counters with a takedown into side control.

Halikov goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Alexejev rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Halikov's guard! Nice work there by Alexejev!
Halikov is breathing heavily.
Alexejev is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Halikov trying to keep a closed guard but Alexejev is proving a slippery customer.
Alexejev passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Alexejev controls the position from side control.
Halikov could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexejev misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
You can see the frustration on Halikov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Halikov is not content to let Alexejev control the position.

Alexejev wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Halikov, who protects the arm well.
Alexejev is looking to take a break and control but Halikov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halikov is looking for a sweep.
Halikov regains half guard.

Halikov is defending against the submission attempts here by Alexejev.
Halikov throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Halikov wants to control but Alexejev is keeping busy.
Alexejev trying to control from half guard but Halikov is working away.

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.
Alexejev is thwarting Halikov's attempts to control the position.

Alexejev postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Halikov to stand up.

Alexejev shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Alexejev showed some decent athleticism there.
Halikov desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Halikov looks like he's trying to stand up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Halikov is trying to maintain the position but Alexejev is very close to passing his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alex Alexejev will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Alexejev moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Alexejev gets caught flat footed, as Halikov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Alexejev is trying to control the position but Halikov postures up.
Halikov stopping the sweep attempt from Alexejev.
Alexejev keeping moving, preventing Halikov from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Alexejev is trying to keep Halikov in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexejev striking off his back but it's not causing Halikov any problems.

Halikov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Halikov stopping the sweep attempt from Alexejev.
Halikov postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Alexejev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Halikov looking to pass the guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Halikov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Alexejev did well to prevent Halikov getting side control.
Alexejev moves into full guard.
Alexejev wants to stand but Halikov is controlling the position.
Alexejev wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halikov slips nicely into half guard.
Alexejev wants to improve his position but Halikov is controlling well.
Alexejev is looking to control Halikov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Alexejev avoid being mounted?

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.

Alexejev looking for submissions off his back.
Halikov wants to take a breather but Alexejev is having none of it.
Alexejev works his way to full guard. Good work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alexejev looking for a sweep. Not yet Alexejev, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vadim Halikov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Halikov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Alexejev's half guard.
Alexejev trying to hold on to Halikov's head to control him but Halikov postures up.
Halikov wants to control but Alexejev is keeping him busy.
Halikov is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Alexejev reverses the position - he's now on top in Halikov's guard.
Alexejev scoring with some ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Halikov wants to stand up but Alexejev is controlling him.
Alexejev trying to control but Halikov is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alexejev stands up and waves to Halikov to follow him.
Halikov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Alexejev doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Halikov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Alexejev!
Alexejev tries to improve his position but instead Halikov has taken his back!

Halikov is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Alexejev defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Halikov not allowing Alexejev to control his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexejev manages to reverse the position and now he's in Halikov's guard. Nice work there by Alexejev.
Alexejev is looking to work some ground and pound but Halikov has wrist control.
Alexejev tries to free his leg and advance position but Halikov is retaining full guard.
Alexejev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Halikov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Halikov keeping moving, preventing Alexejev from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alexejev decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Alexejev shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Halikov 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.
Alexejev is looking to advance position but Halikov has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Halikov breaks from Alexejev's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Alexejev is squirming around, avoiding Halikov's attempts to control the action.
Alexejev tries to hold on but Halikov pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Halikov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Halikov avoids the attempt from Alexejev to control.
Halikov trying to control but Alexejev is having none of it.

Halikov is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Alexejev has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Alexejev!

And that's the end of the fight!
Vadim Halikov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Halikov 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vadim Halikov!