PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mikey Darker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Graham Alexander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Graham Alexander enters the cage!

Darker
vs
Alexander

160 cm
24
140 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
130 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Steel Penn LSD Q160-Q158-Q155 (95% Return)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Mikey Darker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Graham Alexander!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Andrew Berry and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Darker closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Alexander quickly recovers to half guard.
Darker thows a huge punch but Alexander dodges it nicely.
Alexander works his way to full guard. Good work.
Darker is stalling in the full guard.
Alexander looking for a sweep. Not yet Alexander, not yet.
Alexander is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Darker is looking to stand up but Alexander won't let him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alexander pulls Darker in close to prevent any damage.
Alexander doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Darker looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Darker trying to stand up but can't free himself from Alexander's guard.
Alexander manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alexander with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Alexander dominating with strikes here.
Darker is wriggling around trying to escape.

Alexander working for a submission but Darker is keeping him at bay.
Darker is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Darker is squirming around, avoiding Alexander's attempts to control the action.

Alexander is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Darker is surviving well by controlling Alexander's body position as best he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darker tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Darker wants to hold on but Alexander pushes him away.
Darker is trying to escape the mount.

Alexander gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Darker is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Alexander blocks a head kick by Darker.

Alexander instigates a clinch.

Alexander lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Darker is looking to improve his position.
Alexander lands with a punch from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexander trying to control the action but Darker is working from the bottom.

Alexander wants to work for an arm triangle but Darker is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Darker is looking to escape.
Darker tries to get to full guard but Alexander has control of the leg.
Darker is looking to control Alexander's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Darker avoid being mounted?

Alexander is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Darker keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexander works his foot free and advances to mount.

Alexander looking for a guillotine from mount but Darker is having none of it.

Alexander looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Darker is squirming around, avoiding Alexander's attempts to control the action.

Alexander with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alexander trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Graham Alexander dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Darker on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Alexander gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Darker to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Alexander 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.
Darker trying to control the position from guard on top but Alexander is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Darker stopping the sweep attempt from Alexander.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexander is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Darker won't allow Alexander to sweep him here.

Darker drops back, looking for a kneebar! Alexander looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Alexander looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Alexander!
Alexander works to advance to full mount. Darker defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

Alexander looking to secure an arm triangle but Darker defends it well.

Alexander looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Alexander looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Graham Alexander has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darker is trying to escape the mount.
Darker is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Alexander working for a guillotine from mount but Darker is in no mood to give up.
Darker sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Alexander trying to mount his opponent but Darker defends it.
Darker manages to get to full guard.
Darker can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Alexander controls the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darker looking to control.
Alexander trying to control but Darker is working from the bottom.
Darker working a defensive guard here.
Alexander trying to control the position from guard on top but Darker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alexander slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Alexander thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Darker tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Alexander easily slips into full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexander can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Darker is looking to escape.

Alexander looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Alexander with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alexander prevents Darker from getting the reversal.
Alexander avoids the attempt from Darker to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Graham Alexander 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. This is the final round!

Alexander pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Alexander throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Darker's head.
Darker thumps Alexander with a low kick.

Alexander shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Alexander is looking for a kimura but Darker is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Alexander to get the leverage.

Alexander is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Darker doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Alexander.
Alexander wants to pass the guard but Darker is defending well.
Alexander takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alexander is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Darker has managed to free his arm - good work.

Alexander is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Darker sees it coming and defends easily.
Alexander prevents Darker from improving his position.
Darker trying to control but Alexander postures up.

Alexander seems to be looking for submissions.
Alexander wants to lay and pray for a moment but Darker keeps working.
Darker is in trouble now - Alexander has advanced to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alexander looking to secure an arm triangle but Darker defends it well.

Alexander is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Darker to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Darker shrugs it off.
Darker gets back to half guard.
Alexander stops Darker from getting back to his feet.
Darker is trying is best to control the position here.
Alexander trying to control from half guard but Darker is working away.
Darker pushes Alexander off looking to stand but Alexander dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexander trying to control from half guard but Darker is working away.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Darker is trying to get back to full guard.
Alexander wants to lay and pray for a moment but Darker keeps working.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Graham Alexander.

Darker has managed to clinch.

Alexander decides to pull guard.
Darker won't allow Alexander to sweep him here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Alexander is on top in guard.
Darker tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexander forces his way into half guard.

Alexander is looking for a kimura but Darker is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Alexander to get the leverage.

Alexander looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Alexander trying to control from half guard but Darker is working away.
Mikey Darker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Graham Alexander 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.
Darker is looking to improve his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Graham Alexander comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Alexander 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Graham Alexander!
After the big win, Graham Alexander made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Damnfield clothing and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.