PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fedor Alexandrov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oskar Berggren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Alexandrov
vs
Berggren

188 cm
23
220 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Good elbows
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fedor Alexandrov!
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, Oskar Berggren!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Sergei Dronov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Alexandrov or perhaps it was just good defense by Berggren which made him look bad.
Alexandrov throws a nice looking combination but Berggren bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Berggren is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Alexandrov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Berggren tries to avoid it but Alexandrov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Berggren to the ground. Berggren escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Berggren is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Berggren throws an overhand right that lands on Alexandrov's shoulder, as Alexandrov tries to avoid the shot.
Alexandrov tries for a takedown but Berggren circles away easily
and Berggren counters with a two punch combo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fedor Alexandrov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Berggren fails with an attempt to clinch.

Berggren forces Alexandrov back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Berggren is stalling here.
Berggren throws an elbow but it misses.
Alexandrov can't get the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berggren lands a nice elbow.
Berggren lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Alexandrov takes an elbow to the temple.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Berggren.
Berggren pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Berggren has Alexandrov pushed against the cage.
Berggren unloads a knee to the mid-section. Alexandrov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Berggren slowing the pace effectively.
Berggren lands an elbow that stopped Alexandrov in his tracks for a moment.
Berggren gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A knee to the head by Berggren.
Alexandrov blocks an elbow strike from Berggren.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Berggren pushes Alexandrov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berggren just leaning against Alexandrov, taking a breather.
Berggren missing with knees to the body.
Berggren tries to land a knee to the head but Alexandrov blocks with his arms.
Alexandrov takes an elbow to the forehead.
Berggren throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Berggren lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Berggren tries a knee to the head but Alexandrov blocks it.
Berggren creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Alexandrov's defenses.
Berggren displaying some good clinch control by pressing Alexandrov up against the cage.
Alexandrov avoiding damage as Berggren throws knees to the body.
Berggren lands an elbow just above Alexandrov 's eye.
Berggren crunches a lovely knee into Alexandrov's ribcage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berggren landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Alexandrov blocks an elbow strike.

Berggren escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Alexandrov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Berggren avoids it really well and circles away.
Alexandrov tries for a takedown but Berggren sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Alexandrov is breathing heavily.
Berggren fails in his attempt to clinch.
Oskar Berggren is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Alexandrov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Berggren holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Berggren lands a knee to the body.
Berggren pressing his opponent against the cage.
Berggren tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Alexandrov avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov jumps guard but Berggren turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Berggren tries to land a knee to the head but Alexandrov blocks with his arms.
Berggren creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Alexandrov's defenses.
The referee is keeping an eye on Berggren - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Berggren lands an elbow inside that Alexandrov shrugs off.
Berggren is pushing Alexandrov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Berggren lands an elbow inside that Alexandrov shrugs off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oskar Berggren dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Alexandrov walks into a jab.

Berggren rushes Alexandrov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Berggren gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Berggren misses with a knee strike.
Berggren has a couple of punches blocked by Alexandrov.
Berggren stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Berggren working aggressively here.
Berggren misses with a knee strike.
A bit of stalling here from Berggren.
Alexandrov fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Berggren breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Berggren is looking to clinch.
Alexandrov closes the distance and clinches up with Berggren, looking for a takedown. Alexandrov pushes Berggren against the cage but Berggren circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Berggren as Alexandrov shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fedor Alexandrov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Alexandrov.
Alexandrov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Berggren.

Berggren closes the distance and pushes Alexandrov back into the cage.
Alexandrov tries to pull guard but Berggren won't allow it.
Berggren will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Alexandrov up against the cage.
Berggren with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Berggren.
Nice elbow from Berggren.
Come on Berggren - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berggren continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Berggren has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Berggren creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Alexandrov's defenses.
Berggren misses with a knee to the head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Oskar Berggren.
Berggren slips under a jab.
Alexandrov shoots for a takedown but Berggren saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Berggren slips a straight right by Alexandrov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berggren throws a series of punches but Alexandrov avoids them all with ease.

Berggren moves into the clinch successfully.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Berggren.
Berggren throws a knee to the head but misses.
Berggren stalling in the clinch but Alexandrov improves position.
Berggren lands a damaging elbow.
Berggren misses with an elbow strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Berggren.
Berggren creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Alexandrov's defenses.
Berggren misses with a knee strike.
Berggren content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Berggren landing knees to the head.
Berggren landing knees to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A frustrated look appears on Alexandrov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Alexandrov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Berggren gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Berggren blocks an uppercut.
Berggren is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Alexandrov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Berggren prevents it.
Berggren tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Berggren throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Alexandrov blocks it with crossed arms.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Berggren lands an elbow inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oskar Berggren showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Alexandrov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Alexandrov misses with a head kick.
Berggren misses with a series of wild punches.
Berggren throws a hook but Alexandrov blocks it.
Alexandrov swats away the attempt to clinch by Berggren.
Alexandrov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Berggren swivels and escapes.
Berggren stuffs the takedown.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Alexandrov is defended easily by Berggren.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fedor Alexandrov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Berggren has managed to clinch.
Alexandrov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Berggren to keep the fight standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Berggren lands an elbow that stopped Alexandrov in his tracks for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berggren keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Alexandrov's efforts to push away.
Berggren lands a damaging elbow.
Berggren is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Oskar Berggren seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Berggren connects with a knee to the head.
Berggren has Alexandrov pressed against the cage, preventing Alexandrov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Berggren with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Berggren landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Berggren comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Berggren effectively controlling the action here.
Alexandrov tries to break the clinch but Berggren is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Berggren.
Berggren missing with knees to the body.
Berggren tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Berggren scores with a knee to the head.
Alexandrov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Berggren prevents a takedown attempt there.
Berggren lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Berggren lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Berggren is pressed up against the cage. Alexandrov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Berggren down to the mat. Berggren avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Berggren avoids a punch combination nicely.
Berggren wants to clinch up but Alexandrov keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berggren tries to clinch but Alexandrov moves out of range.
Berggren misses with a looping left.
Berggren fails in his attempt to clinch.

Berggren fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Alexandrov, pushing him back against the cage.
Berggren throws a knee to the head but misses.
Berggren lands a nice elbow.
Berggren lands with a left to the head.
Alexandrov takes an elbow to the forehead.

Alexandrov pulls Berggren into guard.
Berggren not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alexandrov has his hands on Berggren's head, controlling the position.
Fedor Alexandrov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berggren trying to control but Alexandrov is working from the bottom.
Berggren must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Alexandrov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Berggren manages to get himself to full guard.
Alexandrov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Oskar Berggren is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alexandrov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oskar Berggren comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Berggren winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oskar Berggren!
Oskar Berggren was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.