PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Cosmo Alexandre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lorik Kabashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cosmo Alexandre had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Alexandre
vs
Kabashi

183 cm
20
187 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Cosmo Alexandre!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lorik Kabashi!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Paulo Santos and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alexandre shoots in and drives through. Kabashi sprawls well.

Kabashi gets a clinch.
Alexandre tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kabashi throws an elbow but misses.
Alexandre avoiding damage as Kabashi throws knees to the body.
Alexandre tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cosmo Alexandre. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kabashi.
Kabashi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Alexandre.
Alexandre avoids the elbow strike from Kabashi, against the cage.
Alexandre is trying to drag Kabashi to the mat but Kabashi just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Alexandre tries to stall but Kabashi uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Alexandre tries to land knees in the clinch but Kabashi avoids the damage to the body.
Kabashi dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kabashi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Alexandre.
A frustrated look appears on Alexandre's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Alexandre tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kabashi tries to land a knee to the head but Alexandre blocks with his arms.
Kabashi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Alexandre takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Cosmo Alexandre has been cut.
Kabashi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Alexandre.
Alexandre working hard to break the clinch.
Kabashi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Alexandre.
Kabashi misses with an elbow over the top.
Alexandre creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kabashi's defenses.
Kabashi landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Alexandre is breathing heavily.
Kabashi comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nice elbow from Kabashi.
Alexandre tries to pull guard but Kabashi holds him up against the cage and eventually Alexandre drops back down to his feet.
Kabashi lands a nice elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kabashi throws an elbow but misses.
Kabashi tries to land a knee to the head but Alexandre blocks with his arms.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kabashi scores with a knee to the head.
Alexandre is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kabashi is defending well.
Kabashi tries a knee to the head but Alexandre blocks it.
Kabashi lands an elbow inside that Alexandre shrugs off.
Alexandre is trying to break the clinch but Kabashi is controlling him.
Kabashi lands an elbow just above Alexandre 's eye.
Kabashi using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kabashi unloads a knee to the mid-section. Alexandre lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kabashi with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kabashi landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Kabashi connects with a knee to the head.
The referee calls for Kabashi to work.
Kabashi throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kabashi creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kabashi landing knees to the head.
Kabashi connects with a knee to the head.
Alexandre is looking for a takedown.
Kabashi pushes off an throws an elbow but Alexandre leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kabashi utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kabashi throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kabashi tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Alexandre looking for a takedown.
Kabashi lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Alexandre takes an elbow to the temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kabashi tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Alexandre tries to pull guard but Kabashi holds him up against the cage and eventually Alexandre drops back down to his feet.
Kabashi stalling the fight.
Kabashi throws an elbow that misses.
Kabashi content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Alexandre is looking to take this one to the mat.
Kabashi lands a damaging elbow.
Alexandre wants to get back to striking at distance but Kabashi won't allow it.

Alexandre breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Kabashi rushes Alexandre and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kabashi prevents a body shot from Alexandre.
Kabashi misses with an elbow over the top.
Nice elbow from Kabashi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lorik Kabashi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Cosmo Alexandre's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Alexandre circles away from the clinch attempt
and Alexandre counters with a head kick. That will keep Kabashi thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Alexandre shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kabashi pinned against the cage. Kabashi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Alexandre shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Alexandre swats away the attempt to clinch by Kabashi.
Alexandre avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kabashi tries to clinch but Alexandre is having none of it.

Kabashi takes the fight into the clinch.
Kabashi tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Kabashi 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.
Alexandre fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cosmo Alexandre. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kabashi lands an elbow just above Alexandre 's eye.
The referee calls for Kabashi to work.
Nice elbow from Kabashi.
Kabashi trying to land knees to the body.
Kabashi throws an elbow but it misses.
Alexandre is trying to pull guard but Kabashi turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kabashi looking to throw knees to the head but Alexandre is blocking nicely.
Kabashi missing with knees to the body.
Alexandre wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Alexandre blocks an elbow strike.
Alexandre is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kabashi to keep the fight standing.
Kabashi misses with an elbow over the top.
Kabashi lands a good knee to the midsection. Alexandre won't want to take too many of those.
Kabashi using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Alexandre has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kabashi working Alexandre over with knees to the body.
Kabashi is struggling to control the position.
Alexandre looking for a takedown.
Alexandre blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kabashi throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kabashi tries a knee to the head but Alexandre blocks it.
Kabashi prevents the takedown attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kabashi is struggling to control the position.
Alexandre tries to pull guard but Kabashi holds him up against the cage and eventually Alexandre drops back down to his feet.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kabashi.
Kabashi is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexandre is trying to pull guard but Kabashi has him pressed against the cage.
Alexandre blocks an elbow strike from Kabashi.
Kabashi misses with an elbow over the top.
Kabashi unloads a knee to the mid-section. Alexandre lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kabashi throws an elbow but it misses.
Kabashi landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Alexandre is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kabashi is keeping busy.
Kabashi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Alexandre's efforts to push away.
Alexandre is working for takedown but Kabashi is calmly controlling the position for now.
Alexandre tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kabashi just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kabashi comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kabashi lands an elbow just above Alexandre 's eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kabashi missing with knees to the body.
Kabashi lands an elbow just above Alexandre 's eye.
Kabashi throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Alexandre fails to pull guard.
Alexandre looking to slow down the pace here.
Kabashi pressing his opponent against the cage.
Alexandre takes an elbow to the forehead.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kabashi pushes off an throws an elbow but Alexandre leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kabashi is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Alexandre is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kabashi lands a damaging elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lorik Kabashi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Cosmo Alexandre's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Kabashi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Alexandre pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lorik Kabashi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kabashi tries to clinch but Alexandre moves out of range.
Kabashi takes one on the button.

Kabashi has closed the distance and engaged Alexandre in a clinch.
Kabashi looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kabashi misses with an elbow over the top.
Alexandre looking to stall.
Alexandre avoids the elbow strike from Kabashi, against the cage.
Kabashi gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kabashi lands an elbow that stopped Alexandre in his tracks for a moment.
Alexandre has Kabashi pressed against the cage.
Alexandre dodges an elbow strike from Kabashi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kabashi utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kabashi working Alexandre over with knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kabashi unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kabashi utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kabashi throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Alexandre blocks it with crossed arms.
Alexandre on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kabashi trying to land knees to the body.
Alexandre avoids the elbow strike from Kabashi, against the cage.
Kabashi with a knee to the head.
Kabashi using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Alexandre takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kabashi lands an elbow that stopped Alexandre in his tracks for a moment.
Alexandre tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Alexandre tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kabashi smiles and moves away.

Kabashi clinches with his opponent.
Lorik Kabashi seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kabashi landing knees to the head.
Alexandre is trying to maintain a safe position but Kabashi gets an underhook and turns Alexandre into the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kabashi.
Alexandre takes an elbow to the temple.
Alexandre letting Kabashi take a breather here.
Kabashi lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexandre doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Alexandre tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cosmo Alexandre. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alexandre takes an elbow to the temple.
Alexandre trying to control the position but instead, Kabashi has worked for underhooks and has pushed Alexandre into the cage.
Alexandre avoids a wild elbow strike from Kabashi.
Kabashi throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Alexandre blocks it with crossed arms.
Alexandre is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kabashi gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kabashi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Alexandre tries to pull guard but Kabashi holds him up against the cage and eventually Alexandre drops back down to his feet.
Nice elbow from Kabashi.
Kabashi throws an elbow that misses.
Kabashi lands an elbow just above Alexandre 's eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kabashi scores with a knee to the head.
Kabashi lands an elbow inside.
Alexandre wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kabashi looking to throw knees to the head but Alexandre is blocking nicely.
Kabashi misses with a knee to the head.
Alexandre trying to control the position but instead, Kabashi has worked for underhooks and has pushed Alexandre into the cage.
Alexandre avoids the elbow strike from Kabashi, against the cage.
Lorik Kabashi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Alexandre looking to slow down the pace here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kabashi landing knees to the head.
Cosmo Alexandre has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alexandre cracks Kabashi with a nice body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lorik Kabashi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kabashi 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lorik Kabashi!