PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gordon Freeman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexandro Alexandrov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexandro Alexandrov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Gordon Freeman's chin.

Freeman
vs
Alexandrov

188 cm
31
205 lbs
15 - 18 - 0

178 cm
27
210 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very quick

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 15 - 18 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gordon Freeman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexandro Alexandrov!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Illya Tyunina and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Alexandrov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Freeman's guard.

Freeman is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Alexandrov is aware though and is defending well.
Freeman controlling Alexandrov's posture.
Alexandrov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Alexandrov trying to control the position from guard on top but Freeman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alexandrov stays in close to Freeman's body and controls the position.
Alexandrov looking to pass the guard.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Alexandro Alexandrov hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Alexandrov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Freeman wants to control but Alexandrov is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alexandrov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Freeman is just riding it out for now. Alexandrov eventually gives up the hold.

Alexandrov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Freeman has managed to free his arm - good work.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Freeman manages to get to full guard.
Alexandrov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Freeman is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Alexandrov looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov pushing down on Freeman's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Freeman has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Alexandrov is working away from the top position though.
Alexandrov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Freeman works his way to full guard. Good work.

Freeman looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Freeman is trying to control the position but Alexandrov postures up.
Alexandrov tries to free his leg and advance position but Freeman is retaining full guard.

Alexandrov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Alexandrov trying to control but Freeman is working from the bottom.
Alexandrov is pushing down on Freeman's leg trying to pass to half guard. Freeman is fighting to maintain full guard but Alexandrov has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freeman slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Alexandrov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Alexandrov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Alexandrov chips away with some ground and pound.
Alexandrov stays in close to Freeman's body and controls the position.
Alexandrov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Alexandrov lands a couple of digs.
Alexandrov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Freeman keeping moving, preventing Alexandrov from controlling successfully.

Alexandrov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Alexandrov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Alexandrov is looking to work some ground and pound but Freeman has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alexandrov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Alexandrov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Freeman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Freeman is trying to control the position but Alexandrov postures up.

Alexandrov drops back looking for a leg! Freeman is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Freeman manages to kick Alexandrov off! Alexandrov jumps back into Freeman's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Alexandrov trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Freeman manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Freeman is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Alexandrov is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Alexandrov has escaped and now he's on top!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandro Alexandrov dominated that 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.

Alexandrov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Freeman manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Alexandrov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Alexandrov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Alexandrov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Freeman is keeping the position for now.
Alexandrov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Freeman is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Alexandrov defends well.
Alexandrov trying to control but Freeman is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freeman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Alexandrov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Freeman working for a triangle but Alexandrov defends it easily.
Freeman has momentary wrist control but Alexandrov slips an elbow through the middle.
Freeman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Alexandrov.

Freeman is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Alexandrov trying to control the position from guard on top but Freeman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Freeman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Alexandrov trying to control the position from guard on top but Freeman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alexandrov won't allow Freeman to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Freeman trying to control the position.

Freeman is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Alexandrov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Freeman swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Freeman looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Alexandrov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Freeman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Alexandrov trying to control but Freeman is working from the bottom.
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!
Alexandrov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alexandro Alexandrov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Alexandrov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Freeman is trying to defend but Alexandrov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Freeman is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Alexandrov pulls his head out easily.
Alexandrov lands with a punch from half guard.
Alexandrov is just content to waste time from the top position. Freeman takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Freeman not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Alexandrov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Freeman is keeping the position for now.

Freeman escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Alexandrov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov trying to control but Freeman is working from the bottom.
Alexandrov pushing down on Freeman's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Alexandrov is looking for a kimura here.
Freeman is looking to control Alexandrov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Freeman avoid being mounted?
Alexandrov trying to control from Freeman's half guard. Freeman has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
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.

Alexandrov drops back, looking for a kneebar! Freeman looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Freeman looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Freeman!
Freeman has control of an arm but Alexandrov manages to advance to Freeman's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandro Alexandrov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Freeman gets caught napping as Alexandrov dives in and scores a takedown. Freeman manages to retain guard.
Freeman keeping moving, preventing Alexandrov from controlling successfully.

Alexandrov has gone for a leg lock! Freeman slips out almost immediately though and dives into Alexandrov's guard.

Alexandrov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Alexandrov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Freeman can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Freeman trying to control the position from guard on top but Alexandrov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Freeman got a little sloppy there for a moment and Alexandrov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Freeman has managed to get both his arms back between Alexandrov's legs - danger averted.

Alexandrov has his foot on Freeman's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Freeman works his way back into a safe position though.
Alexandrov looking to control.

Alexandrov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Freeman gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Alexandrov wants to control but Freeman passes easily into half guard.
Alexandrov is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alexandrov actively working from the bottom here.
Alexandrov wants to get back to full guard.
Alexandrov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Freeman is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Freeman tries to control but Alexandrov wriggling away.

Freeman working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Alexandrov is squirming around, avoiding Freeman's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov is hanging on here. He's in a desperate position.
Alexandrov is trying to escape the mount.
Alexandrov regains half guard.
Alexandrov tries to roll over but Freeman keeps him under control.
Alexandrov trying to hold on to Freeman's head to control him but Freeman postures up.
Gordon Freeman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Freeman is trying to work for a kimura but Alexandrov is defending well.
Alexandrov keeping control of the position.
Freeman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Alexandro Alexandrov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Alexandrov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Alexandrov tries to get to full guard but Freeman has control of the leg.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexandro Alexandrov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Alexandrov 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexandro Alexandrov!