PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rendy Orton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eddie Alvarez (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.

Orton
vs
Alvarez

172 cm
25
154 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
158 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rendy Orton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eddie Alvarez!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Valeri Chadov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Orton rushes Alvarez and presses him up against the cage.
Orton dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Alvarez is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Orton can't fight it off and eventually Alvarez manages to take the fight to the floor. Orton looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Alvarez postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Orton is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Alvarez, into his guard.

Alvarez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Orton doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Orton manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Orton has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Orton avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Orton stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Eddie Alvarez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Orton has Alvarez up against the cage in a clinch.

Orton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A combination from Alvarez does no damage.

Orton darts in and clinches Alvarez up against the cage.

Orton manages to break the clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Alvarez is defended easily by Orton.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Alvarez.
Alvarez throws a nice looking combination but Orton bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Orton closes the distance and pushes Alvarez back into the cage.

Orton breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Orton showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Alvarez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Alvarez misses.

Orton has Alvarez up against the cage in a clinch.
Orton gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Alvarez.
Rendy Orton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eddie Alvarez.
Alvarez looks winded!

Orton has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Alvarez uses from the top position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Orton holds on and takes a little breather.

Orton engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Orton decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Alvarez shoots in for a double leg but Orton sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Orton moves into the clinch.

Orton manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Orton managing to control the position.

Orton is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Alvarez presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Orton is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Orton is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Orton dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez has Orton pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Orton manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Orton tries for a takedown but Alvarez manages to get underhooks.

Orton jumps guard and drags Alvarez to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Orton wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Orton has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Alvarez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Alvarez drops back, looking for a kneebar! Orton looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Orton looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Orton!

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Orton stands up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rendy Orton dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Orton pushes Alvarez up against the cage in a clinch.

Alvarez gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Orton regains guard.

Orton kicks Alvarez off and gets to his feet.
Alvarez throws a series of punches but Orton avoids them all with ease.
Orton is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Alvarez can do to turn this around?

Orton has taken the fight to the clinch.
Orton gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Alvarez.

Orton breaks from the clinch.
Orton tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Alvarez defends well and Orton ends up having to push Alvarez into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Alvarez closes the distance and clinches up with Orton, looking for a takedown. Alvarez pushes Orton against the cage but Orton circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Alvarez is breathing heavily.
Alvarez swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Orton counters by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez looking for a takedown.
Rendy Orton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eddie Alvarez.

Orton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Orton darts in and clinches Alvarez up against the cage.

Orton manages to break the clinch.
Orton fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Orton moves into the clinch.

Orton breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Alvarez with a lazy takedown attempt
and Orton counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Alvarez with a lazy takedown attempt

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

Orton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Orton gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A bit of stalling here from Orton.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Orton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Orton moves into the clinch.
Orton stalling against the cage.
Alvarez can't get the takedown.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Orton's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Orton lands a left hand that snaps the head of Alvarez backwards.
Orton softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Alvarez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Orton fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orton shoots in looking for a takedown but Alvarez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Orton's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Alvarez tries to keep at a distance but Orton has taken the fight into the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Orton.

Orton breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Orton looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Alvarez is fending him off so far but Orton persists. Nope, Alvarez circles away and we're back to standing.

Orton gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Orton is trying to drag Alvarez to the mat but Alvarez just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Orton prevents a takedown attempt there.

Orton pulls Alvarez into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Orton keeping full guard, as Alvarez tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Orton manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Orton breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A solid leg kick lands there for Orton.

Orton drives through and clinches with Alvarez against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

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

Orton fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Alvarez, pushing him back against the cage.
Alvarez looking for a takedown.
Orton landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Orton scores with a shoulder strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rendy Orton dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Orton gets a clinch.
Alvarez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Orton gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Orton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Alvarez misses with a series of wild punches.

Orton takes the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Orton pressing his opponent against the cage.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alvarez is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Orton is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Orton has escaped and now he's on top!

Alvarez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Alvarez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Alvarez has his foot on Orton's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Orton works his way back into a safe position though.
Orton missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Alvarez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Orton stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Orton connects with a right hand. Alvarez shakes it off.
Nice takedown defense from Orton. No joy for Alvarez on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Orton has taken the fight to the clinch.
Orton goes for a takedown in the clinch but Alvarez prevents it.

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

Orton looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Orton stands up and beckons Alvarez to his feet.
Orton tries to score a power double leg takedown but Alvarez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Orton somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez has a takedown stuffed.
Rendy Orton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eddie Alvarez.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Orton.

Orton clinches.
Alvarez stops a takedown attempt from Orton.
Alvarez tries for a takedown but Orton manages to get underhooks.
Orton pressing his opponent against the cage.
Orton is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Alvarez gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Orton breaks from the clinch.
Rendy Orton is winning the standup battle so far.
Alvarez darts in trying to clinch
and Orton counters with a nice uppercut.
Alvarez misses with a wild combination.
Orton shoots in looking for a takedown but Alvarez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Orton's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Eddie Alvarez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Orton shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And Alvarez tries to counter it with a takedown but Orton pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Rendy Orton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Alvarez throws an off balance right hand

and Orton counters by moving into the clinch.
Rendy Orton is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Orton blocks an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rendy Orton showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Orton 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight for Rendy Orton!
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight for Rendy Orton!
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight for Rendy Orton!

Rendy Orton wins by unanimous decision!