PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Diego Fernadez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexei Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smirnov is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Oy To Ne Vecher. Diego Fernadez has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Fernadez
vs
Smirnov

210 cm
25
198 lbs
3 - 7 - 0

182 cm
20
217 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
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 3 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Diego Fernadez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexei Smirnov!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Viktor Lagutenko and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fernadez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Smirnov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fernadez.
Fernadez closes the distance and clinches up with Smirnov, looking for a takedown. Fernadez pushes Smirnov against the cage but Smirnov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Fernadez misses with a few strikes there.
Fernadez slips under a jab.

Smirnov closes the distance and clinches.
Smirnov stalling.
Fernadez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Smirnov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diego Fernadez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fernadez drops down looking for an ankle pick but Smirnov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Fernadez is breathing heavily.
Fernadez throws a series of punches but Smirnov moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smirnov throws a shot from downtown. Fernadez moves away and avoids it.
Fernadez fails to land with a series of punches.
No joy there for Fernadez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Smirnov throws out a counter right but Fernadez avoids it with no problem.

Smirnov gets a clinch.
Smirnov should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Smirnov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smirnov gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Smirnov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Smirnov trying to control but Fernadez is working from the bottom.
Smirnov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Smirnov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fernadez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smirnov chips away with some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smirnov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smirnov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Fernadez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smirnov.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Smirnov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
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.
Smirnov advances to mount.
Fernadez looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Fernadez on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Fernadez tries to get out of the position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Smirnov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Smirnov throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Fernadez because Smirnov loaded up on that one.
Oooooh, big shot lands for Smirnov! Fernadez is hurt baaadly! Smirnov is firing away with more strikes - Fernadez is covering up... the ref is warning him to do something. He's just covering up though still and the ref has to step in to end the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Alexei Smirnov!
An out of breath Alexei Smirnov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.