PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alex Shlemenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Miha Kutuzov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shlemenko comes to the cage accompanied by Rolex. Kutuzov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Rolex. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Shlemenko
vs
Kutuzov

175 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Pit bull development

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 London, Alex Shlemenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Miha Kutuzov!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Paul Tew and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shlemenko clinches up with Kutuzov and pushes him back against the cage.

Shlemenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Shlemenko rushes Kutuzov and presses him up against the cage.
Kutuzov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kutuzov tries to score a body lock takedown but Shlemenko shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kutuzov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Shlemenko to keep the fight standing.
Kutuzov is trying to drag Shlemenko to the mat but Shlemenko just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Alex Shlemenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Miha Kutuzov.
Shlemenko lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kutuzov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kutuzov wants a takedown but no success here.
Shlemenko lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Shlemenko.

Shlemenko pulls guard successfully.
Kutuzov trying to control but Shlemenko is working from the bottom.
Kutuzov tries to free his leg and advance position but Shlemenko is retaining full guard.
Shlemenko is looking to stand up but Kutuzov isn't so interested in that idea.
This has been an exciting period of action!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shlemenko is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Kutuzov presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Kutuzov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Shlemenko prevents it.

Shlemenko has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kutuzov uses from the top position.
Shlemenko keeping moving, preventing Kutuzov from controlling successfully.
Kutuzov prevents Shlemenko from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kutuzov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shlemenko swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Kutuzov drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Shlemenko manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kutuzov has Shlemenko in his guard.

Shlemenko is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kutuzov has control of Shlemenko's left arm, preventing Shlemenko from doing any damage.
Shlemenko slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shlemenko stops Kutuzov from standing up.
Kutuzov controls Shlemenko momentarily but Shlemenko frees himself.
Shlemenko showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Shlemenko prevents Kutuzov from getting back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Shlemenko misses with a few strikes there.

Shlemenko takes the fight into the clinch.
Shlemenko lands with a left to the head.
Shlemenko scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shlemenko.

Shlemenko breaks the clinch.

Kutuzov gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Shlemenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shlemenko tries to clinch but Kutuzov is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shlemenko stuffs the takedown.

Kutuzov tries to keep at a distance but Shlemenko has taken the fight into the clinch.

Shlemenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Shlemenko 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.

Shlemenko moves into the clinch.
Shlemenko lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kutuzov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Shlemenko gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kutuzov is working for takedown but Shlemenko is calmly controlling the position for now.
Alex Shlemenko has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Shlemenko lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kutuzov backwards.
A short right from Shlemenko.
Shlemenko lands with a left to the head.
Kutuzov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Shlemenko manages to break the clinch.

Shlemenko closes the distance and pushes Kutuzov back into the cage.
Kutuzov is trying to drag Shlemenko to the mat but Shlemenko just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Alex Shlemenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Miha Kutuzov.
Kutuzov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Shlemenko fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Shlemenko tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kutuzov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Kutuzov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Shlemenko sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kutuzov avoids the head kick by Shlemenko.
Kutuzov is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Shlemenko drives through and clinches with Kutuzov against the cage.
Shlemenko throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kutuzovs head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shlemenko lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kutuzov backwards.

Shlemenko pulls guard effortlessly.
Kutuzov stops Shlemenko from standing up.

Kutuzov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Shlemenko dives on top into guard.

Shlemenko decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Shlemenko lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Shlemenko tries to clinch but Kutuzov is having none of it.

Shlemenko closes the distance and clinches.
Shlemenko lands a right hand.
Shlemenko lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Shlemenko drags the fight down to the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kutuzov looking to pass the guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Shlemenko manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shlemenko creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shlemenko scores with a nice hook to the head.

Shlemenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Shlemenko has Kutuzov up against the cage in a clinch.
Still in the clinch, Shlemenko scores with a nice short uppercut.

Shlemenko pulls guard effortlessly.
Kutuzov wants to pass the guard but Shlemenko is keeping the position.
Kutuzov trying to control the position from guard on top but Shlemenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shlemenko wants to stand up but Kutuzov is controlling him.

Shlemenko uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Shlemenko doesn't manage to clinch there - Kutuzov circles away.

Shlemenko clinches up against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Shlemenko.
A short uppercut from Shlemenko.

Shlemenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Shlemenko gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Shlemenko successfully pulls guard.
Alex Shlemenko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kutuzov trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Shlemenko manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shlemenko controlling from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Shlemenko dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Shlemenko tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kutuzov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shlemenko misses with a head kick.
Kutuzov lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Alex Shlemenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shlemenko tries to close the distance and clinch but Kutuzov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shlemenko tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Kutuzov counters with a takedown into side control.
Kutuzov looking to control but instead Shlemenko has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.

Kutuzov is trying to work for a kimura but Shlemenko is defending well.

Shlemenko has one foot on Kutuzov's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Shlemenko looks to clinch

and Kutuzov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Shlemenko manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kutuzov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shlemenko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shlemenko tries to close the distance and clinch but Kutuzov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shlemenko tries to clinch but Kutuzov moves out of range.
Shlemenko moves to clinch but Kutuzov breaks away

and Kutuzov counters with a shoot takedown. Shlemenko fights it but they end up in guard.
Shlemenko is looking to stand up but Kutuzov isn't so interested in that idea.
Kutuzov passes Shlemenko's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Shlemenko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kutuzov can do to turn this around?

Kutuzov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kutuzov is looking to stall here but Shlemenko recovers full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Shlemenko manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Shlemenko working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kutuzov tries to pull guard but Shlemenko won't allow it.
Kutuzov has Shlemenko pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Shlemenko manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Shlemenko lands a hook that snaps the head of Kutuzov backwards.
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!

Shlemenko manages to break the clinch.
Shlemenko tries to clinch but Kutuzov moves out of range.
Kutuzov swats away the attempt to clinch by Shlemenko.
Shlemenko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Alex Shlemenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Shlemenko clinches with his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shlemenko jumps into guard, dragging Kutuzov to the mat.
Shlemenko keeping moving, preventing Kutuzov from controlling successfully.
Shlemenko wants to stand but Kutuzov is controlling the position.
Kutuzov trying to control but Shlemenko is working from the bottom.
Kutuzov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shlemenko is keeping the position for now.
Shlemenko wants to stand but Kutuzov is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kutuzov trying to control but Shlemenko is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kutuzov stops Shlemenko from standing up.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Kutuzov trying to control but Shlemenko is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Shlemenko throws a sloppy head kick and Kutuzov moves out of range easily.

Shlemenko darts in and clinches Kutuzov up against the cage.
Shlemenko lands a hook to the side of the head.

Shlemenko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kutuzov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kutuzov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Kutuzov counters with a left and a right that stings Shlemenko.

Shlemenko fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kutuzov, pushing him back against the cage.
Miha Kutuzov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alex Shlemenko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shlemenko lands a hook that snaps the head of Kutuzov backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Shlemenko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Shlemenko 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 James Glass scores the fight for Alex Shlemenko!
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight for Alex Shlemenko!
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight for Alex Shlemenko!

Alex Shlemenko wins by unanimous decision!
Alex Shlemenko gave a mention to Pit bull development in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).
In defeat, Miha Kutuzov stepped up to the mic, saying 'It's not a lose, it is a tactical move, bitch'.