PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexi Laiho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Alverez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Laiho's entrance music is Lookin' Out My Backdoor. A fine choice. The crowd seem to be enjoying Alverez's choice of entrance music: ALL DAY. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Laiho
vs
Alverez

177 cm
26
167 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

172 cm
29
164 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexi Laiho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mike Alverez!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Viktor Lagutenko and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Alverez. Laiho does a little dance to reset his feet.
Alverez tries to bum rush Laiho with a series of wild strikes but Laiho uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Laiho throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Alverez.
Alverez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Laiho.
Laiho throws a left and a right that both miss
and Alverez counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Alverez scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Alverez with a jab.
Laiho misses with a combination
and Alverez counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Alexi Laiho has been cut.
Laiho misses with a combination
and Alverez counters with a left to the body.
Alverez looks to land a combination but Laiho avoids it well.
Alverez dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Laiho throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Alverez stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Laiho swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Alverez counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Laiho is breathing heavily.
Alverez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Laiho circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laiho misses with the combination.
Laiho throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Alverez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Alverez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Alverez shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Alverez content to stall in guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Mike Alverez.
Laiho avoids the body shot from Alverez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laiho fails with the takedown
and Alverez counters with a nice uppercut.
A looping hook to the body misses from Alverez. Laiho does a little dance to reset his feet.
Alverez thows a body shot but no joy.
Alverez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Laiho tries to bum rush Alverez with a series of wild strikes but Alverez uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A looping hook to the body misses from Alverez. Laiho does a little dance to reset his feet.
Laiho misses with a jab, cross combination.
Laiho throws a series of punches but Alverez moves out of range.
A nice combination there by Alverez.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Alverez ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Laiho misses with a combination
and Alverez counters with a right hand to the body.
Alexi Laiho seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Alverez does no damage.
Alverez misses with a wild body shot.
Laiho will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A looping hook to the body misses from Laiho. Alverez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Laiho throws a left and a right that both miss
and Alverez counters with a stiff right hand.
Laiho will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Alverez comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Alverez clinches with his opponent.

Alverez has Laiho pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Alverez pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Laiho tumbling to the mat - Alverez dives into Laiho's guard.
Alverez controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!

Mike Alverez has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Alverez just misses with a punch to the body.
Alverez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Laiho was well out of range. Poor timing from Alverez.
Laiho swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Alverez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Alverez swinging wildly here.
Alverez is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Laiho rather than just go for the knockout.
Laiho throws a series of punches but Alverez avoids them all with ease.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Alverez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Laiho circles away quickly and effectively.
Alverez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Laiho was well out of range. Poor timing from Alverez.
Laiho avoids the body shot from Alverez.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Alverez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alexi Laiho's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Laiho falls off balance throwing a combination
and Alverez counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Mike Alverez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Laiho throws a left and a right that both miss
and Alverez counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Laiho moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Alverez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Laiho throws an overhand right that lands on Alverez's shoulder, as Alverez tries to avoid the shot.
Alverez lands with a right hand.
A combination from Laiho does no damage.
No joy there for Laiho, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Laiho swinging wildly here.
Alverez cracks Laiho with a good jab.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Alverez throws a series of punches but Laiho avoids them all with ease.
Alverez scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laiho throws a right and a left that Alverez avoids nicely.
Laiho closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Laiho takes one on the button.
Alverez thows a body shot but no joy.
Alverez ducks under a wild hook from Laiho.
Alverez misses with the combination.
Alverez misses with a wild body shot.
Laiho looks to land a combination but Alverez avoids it well.
Laiho avoids the body shot from Alverez.
Alverez scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Laiho misses with a combination
and Alverez counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Alverez misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laiho tries to bum rush Alverez with a series of wild strikes but Alverez uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Alexi Laiho is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Laiho misses with a combination
and Alverez counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Alverez throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Laiho was covering up waiting for the punch and Alverez finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Alverez looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Mike Alverez wasn't active enough on the ground.
Laiho throws a nice looking combination but Alverez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Alverez coming out on top.
Alverez with a nice cross.
Laiho throws a nice looking combination but Alverez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice body punch from Alverez.
Alverez misses with a wild body shot.
Alverez lunges at Laiho with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Laiho's hand.
Laiho fails to land with a series of punches.
Alverez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Laiho misses with a double jab
and Alverez counters with a three punch combo that has Laiho backing up. Laiho nods at Alverez to acknowledge the strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Alverez works Laiho's body with a nice hook.
Alverez comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Alverez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Laiho moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alverez lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Laiho at a distance.

Alverez rushes Laiho and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Alverez jumps guard and drags Laiho to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Alverez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Laiho doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Laiho manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Alverez kicks Laiho off and gets to his feet.
Alverez lands a jab to Laiho's midsection.
Laiho swinging wildly here.
Alverez misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Alverez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Alverez throws a jab when Laiho was well out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Alverez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Alexi Laiho's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Laiho looks to land a combination but Alverez avoids it well.
A punch combination from Laiho misses.
Laiho throws a combination that misses

and Alverez counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Laiho's guard now.
Alverez throwing strikes from guard but Laiho blocks nicely.
Alverez seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mike Alverez has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Laiho gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Alverez swings for the body but Laiho moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alverez throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Laiho will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Alverez's corner calls for a 1-2. Alverez obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Alverez closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Laiho to the mat! Laiho manages to get full guard.
Alverez advances to half guard.
Alverez controlling the pace.
Alverez's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Mike Alverez wasn't active enough on the ground.
Alverez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Laiho misses with a hook.
Alverez throws a hook to the side of Laiho's head but Laiho sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A shot to the liver by Alverez. Beautiful body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Laiho takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Laiho misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Alverez lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Laiho backs up against the cage.
Alverez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Laiho was well out of range. Poor timing from Alverez.
Laiho looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Alverez throws a series of punches but Laiho moves out of range.

Laiho gets caught napping as Alverez dives in and scores a takedown. Laiho manages to retain guard.
Alverez is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mike Alverez was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Alverez lands a nice hook to Laiho's body. Laiho takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A punch combination from Alverez misses.
Mike Alverez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Laiho misses with a combination
and Alverez counters with a nice body shot.
Laiho swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Alverez closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Laiho to the mat! Laiho manages to get full guard.
Alverez's corner is telling him to maintain position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Mike Alverez has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Laiho misses with a double jab
and Alverez counters with a nice uppercut.
Alverez paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alverez fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Alverez connects with a body shot that sends Laiho's belly button to the back.
Laiho takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Laiho swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Alverez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Alexi Laiho has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Laiho is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
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!
Alverez lands with a good body shot.
Alverez lands a nice shot to the body.
Alverez misses with a series of wild punches.
Alverez throws a one two combo.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Alverez looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Alverez trying to control from half guard but Laiho is working away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Alverez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Alverez has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Alverez!