PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alistar Overeem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexei Sidorenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Overeem comes to the cage accompanied by Grafh - Knock'em Down. 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.

Overeem
vs
Sidorenko

203 cm
22
256 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

189 cm
19
282 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alistar Overeem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alexei Sidorenko!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A cross from Overeem lands.

It looks like Alexei Sidorenko has been cut.
Sidorenko tries to clinch up but Overeem circles away and keeps his distance.
Sidorenko defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Overeem.
Sidorenko tries to close the distance and clinch up but Overeem swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Overeem shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sidorenko as he avoids it easily.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Sidorenko has eaten all the pies!
Sidorenko tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Overeem manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Overeem throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sidorenko's waist but Sidorenko gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Overeem off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alistar Overeem. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sidorenko forces Overeem back against the cage and clinches.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Sidorenko.
Sidorenko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Overeem.
Still in the clinch, Overeem scores with a nice short uppercut.
Sidorenko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Overeem.
Overeem on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Overeem wants to break free but Sidorenko has control.
Sidorenko throws an elbow that misses.
Sidorenko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Overeem.
Sidorenko missing with knees to the body.
Sidorenko trying to land knees to the body.
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!
Overeem avoids a wild elbow strike from Sidorenko.
Overeem avoiding damage as Sidorenko throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overeem tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sidorenko smiles and moves away.
Overeem changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sidorenko tries to avoid it but Overeem manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sidorenko to the ground. Sidorenko escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sidorenko throws a head kick but Overeem moves out of range.
Overeem shoots in looking for a takedown but Sidorenko manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Overeem's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Overeem tries for a takedown but Sidorenko sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Overeem changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sidorenko tries to avoid it but Overeem manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sidorenko to the ground. Sidorenko escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Overeem is breathing heavily.
Sidorenko is looking to clinch but Overeem is avoiding it.

Sidorenko has closed the distance and engaged Overeem in a clinch.
Overeem tries for a takedown. No joy.
Sidorenko throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Sidorenko throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Overeem on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sidorenko unloads a knee to the mid-section. Overeem lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
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!
Sidorenko lands an elbow that stopped Overeem in his tracks for a moment.
Sidorenko tries to land a knee to the head but Overeem blocks with his arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sidorenko lands a good knee to the midsection. Overeem won't want to take too many of those.
Overeem blocks an elbow strike.
Sidorenko misses with an elbow over the top.
Sidorenko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Overeem is defending well for now.
Sidorenko prevents the takedown attempt.
Sidorenko lands a nice uppercut.
Overeem managing to block the knees to the body from Sidorenko.
Sidorenko tries a knee to the head but Overeem blocks it.
Sidorenko unloads a knee to the mid-section. Overeem lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Sidorenko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Overeem.
Sidorenko using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Overeem has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sidorenko putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Overeem in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Sidorenko obliges.
Sidorenko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Overeem.
Sidorenko tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overeem is trying to push Sidorenko away but Sidorenko has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Overeem avoids a wild elbow strike from Sidorenko.
Overeem avoiding damage as Sidorenko throws knees to the body.
Sidorenko with an attempt at a knee that misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Sidorenko throws an elbow but misses.
Sidorenko tries to land knees in the clinch but Overeem avoids the damage to the body.
Overeem managing to block the knees to the body from Sidorenko.
Nice elbow from Sidorenko.
Sidorenko missing with knees to the body.
Overeem tries to break the clinch but Sidorenko is controlling the position.
Sidorenko looking to throw knees to the head but Overeem is blocking nicely.
Overeem drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sidorenko pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sidorenko fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sidorenko moves into range and clinches up with Overeem.
Overeem avoiding damage as Sidorenko throws knees to the body.
Sidorenko missing with knees to the body.
Overeem on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sidorenko misses with a punch to the body.
Overeem avoiding damage as Sidorenko throws knees to the body.
Sidorenko tries a body shot but Overeem blocks it.
Sidorenko pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Overeem avoids the elbow strike from Sidorenko, against the cage.
Sidorenko lands an elbow inside that Overeem shrugs off.
Sidorenko throws an elbow but it's blocked.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Overeem escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Overeem moves into range and connects with a jab.
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!
Sidorenko is looking to clinch but Overeem is avoiding it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexei Sidorenko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alexei Sidorenko's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sidorenko is looking to clinch but Overeem is avoiding it.

Sidorenko clinches up with Overeem and pushes him back against the cage.
Sidorenko tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Overeem wants to take the fight to the mat but Sidorenko manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Overeem looking to slow down the pace here.
Overeem managing to block the knees to the body from Sidorenko.
Overeem fails to pull guard.
Sidorenko pushes off an throws an elbow but Overeem leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Overeem looking to slow down the pace here.
Sidorenko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Overeem.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Sidorenko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Overeem is defending well for now.
Overeem blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sidorenko missing with knees to the body.
Overeem is trying to push Sidorenko away but Sidorenko has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sidorenko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Overeem is defending well for now.
Overeem pushes Sidorenko back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Overeem on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sidorenko missing with knees to the body.
Still in the clinch, Overeem scores with a nice short uppercut.
Overeem is trying to break free.
Overeem avoiding damage as Sidorenko throws knees to the body.
Overeem dodges an elbow strike from Sidorenko.
Overeem tries to pull guard but Sidorenko forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alistar Overeem. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Overeem pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sidorenko looks to clinch
and Overeem counters with a series of strikes. Sidorenko will be more careful next time no doubt.
Sidorenko wants to clinch up but Overeem keeps it at a distance.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Sidorenko in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Overeem blocks the elbow strike.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Overeem drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sidorenko pulls his leg out and moves away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Sidorenko rushes Overeem and presses him up against the cage.
Sidorenko throws an elbow but it misses.
Sidorenko misses with an elbow strike.
Overeem is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Sidorenko to keep the fight standing.
Sidorenko missing with knees to the body.
Overeem wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Sidorenko trying to land knees to the body.

Overeem manages to break the clinch.

Overeem gets tackled into the cage by Sidorenko. Sidorenko maintains the clinch.
Overeem on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sidorenko lands a damaging elbow.
Sidorenko gets underhooks to prevent Overeem's takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sidorenko pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Sidorenko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Overeem is defending well for now.
Overeem working hard to break the clinch.
Sidorenko tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Overeem avoids it.
Overeem is trying to break free.
Overeem avoiding damage as Sidorenko throws knees to the body.
Alexei Sidorenko seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Sidorenko tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Overeem avoids it.
Sidorenko unloads a knee to the mid-section.
With the fighters up against the cage, Sidorenko throws an elbow but misses.
Sidorenko scores a nice knee to the body.
Overeem takes an elbow to the forehead.
Overeem blocks the elbow strike.
Sidorenko trying to land knees to the body.
Overeem blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sidorenko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Overeem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sidorenko missing with knees to the body.
Sidorenko unloads a knee to the mid-section. Overeem lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Sidorenko tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Overeem avoids it.

Overeem pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Overeem tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sidorenko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Overeem somewhat.
Overeem takes a head kick and keeps coming.
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!
Sidorenko throws a sloppy head kick and Overeem moves out of range easily.
Overeem misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Overeem takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sidorenko blocks the body kick.
Sidorenko is looking to clinch but Overeem is avoiding it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexei Sidorenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Alexei Sidorenko's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Overeem gets tackled into the cage by Sidorenko. Sidorenko maintains the clinch.
Overeem jumps guard but Sidorenko stands there with Overeem around his waist. Overeem gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sidorenko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Overeem is defending well for now.
Sidorenko throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Overeem blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Overeem's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sidorenko tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Overeem counters with a two punch combo.
Overeem throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sidorenko stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sidorenko wants it to stay on the feet.
Sidorenko tries to clinch but Overeem is having none of it.
Sidorenko is looking to clinch but Overeem is avoiding it.
Sidorenko tries to clinch but Overeem moves out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Overeem tries to clinch there but Sidorenko circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sidorenko fails in his attempt to clinch.

Sidorenko takes the fight into the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Sidorenko just misses with a elbow thrown towards Overeem's brow.
Sidorenko missing with knees to the body.
Overeem is trying to break the clinch but Sidorenko is controlling him.
Overeem on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Overeem trying to stall but Sidorenko improves his position.
Sidorenko trying to land knees to the body.
Sidorenko creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Overeem's defenses.
Overeem looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Overeem breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Alistar Overeem is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Sidorenko rushes Overeem and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Overeem on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Overeem tries to pull guard but Sidorenko forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alistar Overeem. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sidorenko looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Sidorenko misses with a knee strike.
Overeem is trying to stall.
Sidorenko landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Overeem has Sidorenko pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sidorenko manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Sidorenko landing knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sidorenko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Overeem is defending well for now.
Overeem managing to block the knees to the body from Sidorenko.
Sidorenko missing with knees to the body.
Sidorenko utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Overeem blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sidorenko missing with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overeem blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Overeem blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sidorenko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Overeem is defending well for now.
Overeem tries to pull guard but Sidorenko holds him up against the cage and eventually Overeem drops back down to his feet.
Overeem managing to block the knees to the body from Sidorenko.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Overeem.

Overeem jumps guard and drags Sidorenko to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Overeem looking to control.
Sidorenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Sidorenko stands up and waves to Overeem to follow him.
Overeem takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sidorenko tries to close the distance and clinch up but Overeem swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sidorenko tries to clinch but Overeem moves out of range.
Sidorenko moves in looking to clinch but Overeem pushes him off.
Overeem circles away from the clinch attempt
and Overeem counters with a body kick.

Sidorenko darts in and clinches Overeem up against the cage.
Alexei Sidorenko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Overeem is trying to push Sidorenko away but Sidorenko has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Overeem tries for a takedown. No joy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Overeem fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Alistar Overeem has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sidorenko tries to land knees in the clinch but Overeem avoids the damage to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexei Sidorenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sidorenko 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexei Sidorenko!