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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kalju Kulli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexey Alexandrov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 185 cm
31
185 lbs
5 - 11 - 0 |
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192 cm
29
200 lbs
3 - 11 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick |
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Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank |
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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
5 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kalju Kulli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
3 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexey Alexandrov!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shirou Masuda and Yukihiro Yamamoto.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kulli leaves Alexandrov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kulli takes the fight into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kulli.
Alexandrov swings wildly with an uppercut but Kulli uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kulli with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Alexandrov blocking some punches.
Alexandrov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kulli working aggressively here.
Alexandrov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alexandrov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
I was talking to Kulli's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Alexandrov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kulli.
Alexandrov wants a takedown but no success here.
Kalju Kulli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexey Alexandrov.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kulli misses with a hook from the clinch.
Alexandrov tries to throw a body punch but Kulli avoids it by throwing Alexandrov back against the cage.
A short right from Kulli.
Kulli swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kulli is defending well against a takedown attempt.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kulli creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kulli softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kulli's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kulli misses with the head strike.
Alexandrov takes an elbow to the forehead.
Alexandrov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kulli trying to land knees to the body.
Kulli gets underhooks to prevent Alexandrov's takedown attempt.
Kulli misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kulli tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Alexandrov can't get the takedown.
Kulli tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Alexandrov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A bit of stalling here from Alexandrov.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Kulli regains guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Alexandrov working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kulli trying to keep a closed guard but Alexandrov is proving a slippery customer.
Alexandrov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Alexandrov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Alexandrov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Alexandrov postures up in Kulli's guard and throws a big left but Kulli blocks it.
Alexandrov throws a big right hand that misses.
Kulli is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Alexandrov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kulli pulls Alexandrov in close to prevent any damage.
Alexandrov scoring with some ground and pound.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kulli looking for a sweep. Not yet Kulli, not yet.
Alexandrov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Alexandrov wants to control from the top but Kulli keeps moving.
Kulli looking for a sweep. Not yet Kulli, not yet.
Kulli wants to stand and escape but Alexandrov is having none of it.
Kulli thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Kulli manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Alexandrov manages to get himself to full guard.
Kulli postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Alexandrov trying to strike off his back.
Kulli working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kulli throws a big elbow that misses.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kulli engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Alexandrov keeping full guard, as Kulli tries to pass.
Alexandrov wants to improve his position but instead Kulli has moved into half guard.
Kulli wants to take a breather but Alexandrov is having none of it.
Alexandrov wants to get back to full guard.
Kulli is working for a submission of some sort.
Kulli is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kalju Kulli dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
Kulli tries to keep at a distance but Alexandrov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Alexandrov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kulli is pressed up against the cage. Alexandrov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kulli down to the mat. Kulli avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kulli is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Alexandrov can do to turn this around?
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Alexandrov, as that shot connected.
Alexandrov scores with a jab to the head.
Kulli lands with a slapping head kick.
Alexandrov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kulli.
Kulli looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Alexandrov swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kulli counters with a head kick.
Kulli jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Alexandrov takes a swing at Kulli's ribcage but misses.
Alexey Alexandrov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kulli walks into a straight right hand from Alexandrov.
Alexandrov takes a swing at Kulli's ribcage but misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A head kick misses from Kulli.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexandrov shoots in and drives through. Kulli sprawls well.
Alexandrov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Alexandrov has closed the distance and engaged Kulli in a clinch.
Alexandrov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Alexandrov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kulli presses Alexandrov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Alexandrov tries to throw a body punch but Kulli avoids it by throwing Alexandrov back against the cage.
Alexandrov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kulli fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kalju Kulli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexey Alexandrov.
Kulli feints and as Alexandrov raises his hands in defense, Kulli changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kulli stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Alexandrov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kulli looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Alexandrov keeping full guard, as Kulli tries to pass.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kulli preventing the sweep.
Kalju Kulli overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kulli decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Alexandrov, up you get!
Alexandrov clinches with his opponent.
Alexandrov misses with a short punch on the inside.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kulli lands a shot to the body.
Kalju Kulli has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Alexandrov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kulli is defending well.
Kulli missing with knees to the body.
Alexandrov blocks an uppercut.
Kulli is stalling here.
Kulli pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Alexandrov looking for a takedown.
Alexandrov avoiding damage as Kulli throws knees to the body.
Alexandrov digs a right hand into Kulli's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kulli's gas tank.
Kulli is trying to drag Alexandrov to the mat but Alexandrov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kulli cracks Alexandrov with a nice body shot.
Kulli can't find room to land a body shot as Alexandrov controls the action.
Kulli throws a head punch that misses.
Kulli misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Alexandrov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kulli backwards.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kulli backwards.
Alexandrov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kulli or not.
Alexandrov gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Alexandrov being controlled here momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kulli thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Kulli is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kulli keeping moving, preventing Alexandrov from controlling successfully.
Kulli preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kulli is adopting a defensive guard.
Alexandrov distracts Kulli with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Alexey Alexandrov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Alexandrov has managed to clinch.
Alexandrov has Kulli pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Alexandrov pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Kulli tumbling to the mat - Alexandrov dives into Kulli's guard.
Kulli working a defensive guard here.
Kulli is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Alexandrov is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Alexandrov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kulli works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kulli not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Alexandrov throws a big right hand that misses.
Kulli looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Alexandrov scoring with some ground and pound.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexandrov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kulli looking to control.
Alexandrov working some strikes from top position.
Alexandrov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Alexandrov won't allow Kulli to sweep him here.
Alexandrov throws a big right hand that misses.
Kulli 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.
Alexandrov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Alexandrov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kulli's head.
Kulli wants to sweep here but Alexandrov controlling him for the moment.
Kulli keeping moving, preventing Alexandrov from controlling successfully.
Alexandrov cracks Kulli with a solid left hand.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov connects with a couple of short punches.
Alexandrov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kulli works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kulli striking off his back.
Alexandrov postures up.
Kulli keeping moving, preventing Alexandrov from controlling successfully.
Alexandrov works over Kulli with some ground and pound from guard.
Alexandrov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kulli manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Alexandrov manages to get himself to full guard.
Kulli trying to control the position from guard on top but Alexandrov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kulli is in close to Alexandrov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Alexandrov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Alexandrov keeping full guard, as Kulli tries to pass.
Alexandrov has control of Kulli's left arm, preventing Kulli from doing any damage.
Alexandrov 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.
Kulli advances position into side control!
Kulli stands up and we're back to a striking position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov lands with a shot to the body.
Alexandrov throws a looping overhand right but Kulli ducks down to avoid it.
Kulli swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kulli misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Alexandrov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kulli was well out of range. Poor timing from Alexandrov.
Alexandrov misses with a left hand
and Kulli makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kulli misses with a head kick.
Kulli tries to clinch up.
Kulli pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kulli looks for the body kick but Alexandrov saw that one coming.
Kulli misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Alexandrov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Alexandrov lands with a punch from half guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Alexey Alexandrov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Alexandrov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexey Alexandrov!
Our winner, Alexey Alexandrov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
40% |
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