PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Emanuel Alexander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anir Vetukuri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Alexander
vs
Vetukuri

164 cm
18
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Emanuel Alexander!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Anir Vetukuri!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vetukuri shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Alexander sprawls well. Alexander wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Vetukuri gets slowly back to his feet.
Alexander is looking to counter punch.
Alexander swats away the attempt to clinch by Vetukuri.
Alexander throwing a counter right hand but Vetukuri manages to avoid it.
Vetukuri closes the distance looking to clinch

and Alexander counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Vetukuri has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Alexander off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vetukuri shoots in looking for a takedown but Alexander manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Vetukuri's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Vetukuri throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alexander shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Vetukuri being controlled here, momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vetukuri controls Alexander momentarily but Alexander frees himself.
Alexander content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vetukuri throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Alexander might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Alexander won't allow Vetukuri to get back to his feet.
Alexander's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Vetukuri throws a lazy head kick

and Alexander holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Vetukuri jumps guard but Alexander turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Emanuel Alexander has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anir Vetukuri.

Vetukuri breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Vetukuri misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vetukuri with a lazy takedown attempt

and Alexander holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Alexander ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Alexander no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Alexander wants to stand but Vetukuri is controlling the position.
Alexander has control of Vetukuri's left arm, preventing Vetukuri from doing any damage.
Vetukuri trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Alexander uses the cage to get back to his feet.
A good leg kick by Vetukuri.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alexander drives through with a takedown into Vetukuri's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Vetukuri looking for a sweep. Not yet Vetukuri, not yet.
Vetukuri looks winded!
Alexander has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Vetukuri is proving hard to escape from.
Vetukuri looking to hit a scissor sweep but Alexander is one step ahead there.
Alexander controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emanuel Alexander dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Vetukuri tries to clinch up but Alexander circles away and keeps his distance.
Anir Vetukuri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vetukuri fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Alexander is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Vetukuri can do to turn this around?
Vetukuri misses with a takedown

and Alexander holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Vetukuri tries for a takedown. No joy.
Emanuel Alexander has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anir Vetukuri.

Alexander has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Vetukuri uses from the top position.

Vetukuri stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Vetukuri moves to clinch but Alexander breaks away

and Alexander decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Vetukuri's guard.

Vetukuri has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Alexander has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vetukuri drops down looking for an ankle pick but Alexander pulls his leg out and moves away.
Vetukuri is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vetukuri has a takedown stuffed.
Alexander defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Vetukuri.
Alexander tries to counter with a takedown but Vetukuri is quick to defend against it.
Vetukuri looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Alexander fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Vetukuri sprawls well initially but Alexander persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Alexander decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Alexander drives through with a takedown into guard.
Vetukuri is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Alexander dives into side control.
Emanuel Alexander overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alexander content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
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!

Alexander decides to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vetukuri looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Alexander tries to counter by clinching up but Vetukuri breaks away and moves out of range.
Vetukuri tries to clinch but Alexander is having none of it.
Alexander could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Vetukuri shoots in for a double leg but Alexander sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
An attempted straight right counter from Alexander misses the target.

Alexander shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Alexander is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Vetukuri has managed to free his arm - good work.
Alexander prevents Vetukuri from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexander drops an elbow to the side of Vetukuri's head.
Alexander lands strikes from half guard.
Vetukuri wants to improve his position but Alexander is controlling well.
Alexander is controlling the pace.
Vetukuri wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emanuel Alexander dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Vetukuri throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Alexander's waist but Alexander gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Vetukuri off to one side.
Alexander tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Vetukuri manages to circle out of the way.

Alexander scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Vetukuri scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Alexander manages to mount him!
Alexander fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Vetukuri tries to lock up and control but Alexander gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Alexander raining down hammerfists from mount.
Alexander controlling his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vetukuri takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vetukuri reaches up to try and control the position but Alexander seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Vetukuri rolls and tries to escape and now Alexander has his back!
Vetukuri just trying to survive but Alexander is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Alexander is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Vetukuri knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Vetukuri for a finish.

Alexander is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Vetukuri has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Alexander is working the ground and pound. Can Vetukuri escape?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Can Vetukuri hold on?! Alexander is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Vetukuri rolls, trying to escape but Alexander keeps control of the position.
Vetukuri looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Vetukuri is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Alexander gets his way!
What can Vetukuri do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alexander is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Vetukuri is defending well though. Alexander let's go of the attempt for now.

Alexander working for a choke but Vetukuri is defending well.
Vetukuri tries to escape but Alexander has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Vetukuri trying to control but not successfully.
Alexander controlling well, preventing Vetukuri from escaping the position.
Vetukuri grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Alexander is working the ground and pound. Can Vetukuri escape?
Alexander lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Vetukuri.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alexander has good solid back control here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Emanuel Alexander showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Alexander has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emanuel Alexander!