PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Al Russo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Reeves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Russo
vs
Reeves

218 cm
18
177 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

181 cm
21
170 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Al Russo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alex Reeves!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Joseph Jones and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch lands to the side of Russo 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Russo moves into the clinch.

Reeves manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Reeves has his feet on Russo's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Reeves gets a double leg takedown into Russo's guard.
Russo trying to strike off his back.
Russo 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.
Reeves wants to control from the top but Russo keeps moving.
Reeves must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Reeves throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Russo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Russo trying to strike off his back.
Russo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Reeves!
Reeves is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Russo will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Russo takes Reeves's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Reeves is in trouble.
Reeves staying busy and making it hard for Russo to control.
Reeves controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad spot.
Russo really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Russo not allowing Reeves to control his hands.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reeves is trying to break free.
Russo really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Reeves.
Reeves has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Russo.
Reeves is trying to stand back up.
Russo biding his time, controlling Reeves.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Reeves. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Russo controls the position.
Reeves covering up well under a series of strikes from Russo.
Russo scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Reeves is looking for a way out.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Reeves trying to control the hands but Russo breaks the grip.
Russo scores with punches to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo controlling from the back.
Reeves tries to break free.
Russo misses with punches from the back.
Reeves tries to escape but Russo has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Reeves trying to control but not successfully.
What can Reeves do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in 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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Al Russo dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Russo avoids the head kick by Reeves.
Reeves throws a head kick that misses.

Reeves clinches with his opponent.

Reeves pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Russo has closed the distance and engaged Reeves in a clinch.
Reeves has Russo pressed against the cage, preventing Russo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Russo is trying to pull guard but Reeves has him pressed against the cage.
Russo looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Russo jumps guard but Reeves stands there with Russo around his waist. Russo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Reeves looking to throw knees to the head but Russo is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Russo manages to pull guard.
Reeves preventing the sweep.
Russo thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Reeves throwing strikes but missing.
Russo throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Russo lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Reeves!
Russo content just to control the position here.
Reeves bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Reeves postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Reeves throws a big elbow that misses.
Reeves is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Reeves pushing down on Russo's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Russo is trying to get back to full guard.
Reeves wants to take a breather but Russo is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo tries to get to full guard but Reeves has control of the leg.
Reeves throwing shots but Russo is blocking nicely.
Reeves not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Reeves wants to work for an arm triangle but Russo is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Russo lands with a few short shots to the body.
Russo is trying to stand back up but Reeves is controlling him
Russo gets full guard.

Reeves stands up and waves to Russo to follow him.

Reeves drives through and clinches with Russo against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo jumps guard but Reeves turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Al Russo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Russo has had enough of the clinch but Reeves keeps him there for the moment.
Nice body punch from Reeves.
Reeves with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Russo jumps guard but Reeves stands there with Russo around his waist. Russo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Russo tries to pull guard but Reeves holds him up against the cage and eventually Russo drops back down to his feet.
Russo misses with a hook from the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Russo fails to pull guard.
Reeves unloads a knee to the mid-section.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alex Reeves will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Russo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Reeves forces Russo back against the cage and clinches.

Reeves drags the fight down to the ground.
Russo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Russo stops Reeves from standing up.
Al Russo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Reeves keeping moving, preventing Russo from controlling successfully.
Russo connects with a couple of short punches.
Russo tries to stand but Reeves is controlling from the bottom.

Russo stands and steps away. Reeves gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Reeves clinches up with Russo and pushes him back against the cage.
Reeves with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Reeves walks away with a smile on his face. Russo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Russo gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Russo 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.
Reeves looking to sit in guard and control but Russo gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Russo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Russo is working Reeves over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Russo wanted to stand there but Reeves had control of the position.
Russo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reeves wants to stand up but Russo is controlling him.
Russo working some strikes from top position.
Reeves looking for a sweep. Not yet Reeves, not yet.
Reeves takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Russo trying to stand up but can't free himself from Reeves's guard.
Reeves looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
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!
Russo trying to control but Reeves is working from the bottom.
Russo tries to stand but Reeves is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Russo is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

We're going to have a standup here because Al Russo wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Russo closes the distance and clinches.

Reeves jumps guard.
Russo is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Russo wanted to stand there but Reeves had control of the position.
Russo throws an elbow that misses. Reeves uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Russo's guard. Nice move by Reeves!
Russo manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Reeves manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo throws a strike but Reeves rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Reeves throws an elbow that misses. Russo uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Reeves's guard. Nice move by Russo!
Reeves wants to stand and escape but Russo is having none of it.
Russo throws a strike but Reeves rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Reeves working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
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.
Russo manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Reeves manages to get himself to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Al Russo showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Russo has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Al Russo!