PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexey Alexandrov (ranked 783 p4p, 107 weight class) and Bjorn Ragnar (ranked 253 p4p, 43 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Ragnar's choice of entrance music: Shook Ones II. Bjorn Ragnar has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Alexandrov
vs
Ragnar

192 cm
34
200 lbs
11 - 14 - 0

186 cm
35
186 lbs
29 - 12 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Sin City Allstars

Kimura Klothing
Sin City Allstars

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 11 - 14 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexey Alexandrov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Bjorn Ragnar!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Columbo Gatti and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good work by Alexandrov as he checks the leg kick.
Alexandrov is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Ragnar.
A punch lands to the side of Ragnar 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Alexandrov misses with an uppercut
and Ragnar counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Alexandrov thinking.
Ragnar has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Alexandrov with a poor takedown
and Ragnar counters with a leg kick.
Ragnar tries to clinch but Alexandrov moves out of range.
Good leg kick by Ragnar there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Alexandrov scores with a shot to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ragnar.
Ragnar slips a jab from Alexandrov.
A countering left hand to the body from Ragnar misses.
We've been told by Alexandrov's head coaches at St Petersburg MMA Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
A punch lands to the side of Alexandrov 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Alexandrov moves into the clinch successfully.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ragnar working some nice short punches in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Alexandrov misses with a body punch.
Ragnar stops a takedown attempt from Alexandrov.
Ragnar lands a body punch in the clinch.
Ragnar lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Nice body punch from Alexandrov - that landed with a thud.
Ragnar tries a body shot but Alexandrov blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Alexandrov.
Ragnar scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ragnar tries to work over Alexandrov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Alexandrov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Ragnar as the two fighters clinch.
Ragnar misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Alexandrov goes for a takedown attempt but Ragnar pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexey Alexandrov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ragnar keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Alexandrov throws a hook but Ragnar blocks it.
A left lands for Ragnar.
Ragnar throws a leg kick which misses Alexandrov's front leg but catches the back leg as Alexandrov tries to avoid it.
Ragnar connects with a leg kick. Alexandrov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Alexandrov misses with a right hand
and Ragnar connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Alexandrov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ragnar struggling a bit here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ragnar sneaks back into half guard.
Alexandrov is thwarting Ragnar's attempts to control the position.
Ragnar is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Alexandrov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ragnar is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ragnar trying to hold on to Alexandrov's head to control him but Alexandrov postures up.
Ragnar keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ragnar is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ragnar slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Ragnar keeping moving, preventing Alexandrov from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov preventing the sweep.
Ragnar wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Alexandrov preventing the sweep.
Ragnar is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Ragnar is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ragnar working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Alexandrov.
Alexandrov trying to control but Ragnar is working from the bottom.
Alexandrov stopping the sweep attempt from Ragnar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Ragnar controls Alexandrov momentarily but Alexandrov frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Ragnar gets tackled into the cage by Alexandrov. Alexandrov maintains the clinch.
Alexandrov can't get the takedown.
Ragnar misses with some punches.
Ragnar lands with a light punch inside.
Ragnar tries a body shot but Alexandrov blocks it.
Ragnar lands with a left to the head.
Ragnar throws a punch but it's blocked by Alexandrov.
Alexandrov lands a left hand.
Ragnar pushes Alexandrov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ragnar misses with a hook from the clinch.
Alexandrov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ragnar.
Alexandrov tries for a takedown. No joy.
Alexandrov working hard to break the clinch.
Alexandrov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ragnar fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ragnar tries to close the distance and clinch but Alexandrov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Alexandrov misses with a hook
and Ragnar counters with a nice body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bjorn Ragnar dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Alexandrov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ragnar as he jumps to the side.
Alexandrov steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Ragnar. That one must have hurt.
A cross from Ragnar lands.
Jab from Ragnar.
Some bone on bone action there as Alexandrov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Alexandrov scores with a jab to the jaw.
A right-left combo lands from Alexandrov.
Alexandrov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Alexandrov wants to clinch.
Ragnar is looking to land body kicks.
Ragnar lands with a good body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A big left from Alexandrov misses.
Bjorn Ragnar is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ragnar misses with a wild body shot.
Ragnar throws a head kick that misses
enabling Alexandrov to counter with a crisp jab.
Nice defenses there by Ragnar.
A swing and a miss from Ragnar.
Alexandrov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Bjorn Ragnar seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Alexandrov throws a body punch but Ragnar moves out of range.
Alexandrov backing away here, and Ragnar unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Ragnar scores with a kick to the midsection.
Alexandrov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Alexandrov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Ragnar is trying to control but can't.
Ragnar slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
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!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ragnar is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov seems keen to control Ragnar's posture.
Alexandrov has a closed guard, preventing Ragnar from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ragnar wants to control from the top but Alexandrov keeps moving.
Alexandrov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ragnar must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ragnar in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Alexandrov pulls Ragnar in close to prevent any damage.
Ragnar pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Alexandrov is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ragnar passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Alexey Alexandrov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Alexandrov is looking to regain half guard here but Ragnar keeps moving and retains side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Ragnar misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Ragnar in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Ragnar is continuing to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Alexandrov is looking for a sweep.
Ragnar is staying tight to Alexandrov's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Ragnar wants to control but Alexandrov is keeping him busy.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ragnar lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Alexandrov clinches.
Ragnar throws a punch but it's blocked by Alexandrov.
Alexandrov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ragnar backwards.
Alexandrov blocks a body shot from Ragnar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bjorn Ragnar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Ragnar fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Alexandrov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ragnar throws a nice outside leg kick.
Alexandrov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ragnar defends it nicely.

Alexandrov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ragnar manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Alexandrov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Alexandrov trying to control but Ragnar is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ragnar wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ragnar manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Alexandrov manages to get himself to full guard.

Alexandrov pulls Ragnar in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexandrov keeping moving, preventing Ragnar from controlling successfully.
Ragnar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ragnar wants to pass the guard but Alexandrov is keeping the position.
Ragnar trying to control but Alexandrov is working from the bottom.
Ragnar seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Ragnar in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Alexandrov wants to hit a switch here but Ragnar passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Alexandrov there!
Ragnar trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Ragnar sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Ragnar trying to control but Alexandrov is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov is looking to get to half guard.
Alexey Alexandrov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ragnar wants to control the pace but Alexandrov is squirming around nicely.
Ragnar controlling from mount.
Ragnar looking to control but Alexandrov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Ragnar looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Ragnar wants to control the pace but Alexandrov is squirming around nicely.
Ragnar controlling the pace for now.
Ragnar looking to control but Alexandrov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Bjorn Ragnar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ragnar has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bjorn Ragnar!
A relieved looking Bjorn Ragnar thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.