|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexey Andreev (ranked 11 p4p, 2 weight class) and Latka Gravas (ranked 38 p4p, 6 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
|
|
|
175 cm
28
188 lbs
18 - 1 - 0 |
|
184 cm
28
185 lbs
8 - 2 - 0 |
BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible |
|
Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin |
| |
|
Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world! Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner. With a record of
18 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexey Andreev! And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner. With a record of
8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Latka Gravas ! The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shirou Masuda.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway! Gravas thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Andreev if he has to take too many more of those.
Gravas scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Andreev doesn't seem bothered though. Andreev 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. Latka Gravas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout. A low kick from Gravas misses and Andreev cracks him with a counter punch right on the button. Andreev misses with a body shot.
Andreev thuds a left hand into Gravas 's body. Gravas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Andreev was well out of range. Poor timing from Gravas . Gravas lands with a nice body punch. Gravas misses with a head kick.
Gravas looks to land a right hand but Andreev moved out of range. Andreev looks to throw the jab but Gravas is out of range. Andreev has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance. Gravas scores with a push kick. Gravas looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A shot to the body from Gravas misses and Andreev counters with a stiff right hand. The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Andreev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gravas was well out of range. Poor timing from Andreev. Gravas scores with a slapping inside leg kick. Gravas throws a leg kick and Andreev counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Andreev. Andreev landing some decent shots from guard.
That's one minute gone in the round. Andreev working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound. Gravas not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Andreev has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission. Andreev postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head. Andreev preventing the sweep. Gravas has his hands on Andreev's head, controlling the position. Gravas tries to land a sweep but no joy. Gravas controlling Andreev's posture. Andreev lands a couple of digs. Gravas is trying to keep Andreev in close.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Andreev wants to control from the top but Gravas keeps moving. Gravas is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage. Andreev makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard. Andreev is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact. Andreev throwing strikes but missing. Our spies down at at White Eagle inform us that Gravas has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off? Andreev throws an elbow that misses. Gravas uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Andreev's guard. Nice move by Gravas ! Andreev working a defensive guard but Gravas passes into half guard.
Andreev actively working from the bottom here. Gravas prevents Andreev from improving his position.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Andreev is trying to control but can't.
Gravas is looking to take a break and control but Andreev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom. The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily. Gravas prevents Andreev from improving his position. Still in half guard, Gravas seems content to control. Andreev trying to control from the bottom.
Andreev wants to control but Gravas passes into side.
Andreev manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gravas 's best efforts. Gravas trying to control the action but Andreev is working from the bottom.
That's four minutes gone in the round. There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action. Andreev tries to roll over but Gravas keeps him under control. Gravas keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action. Andreev is trying to maintain the position but Gravas is very close to passing his half guard. Andreev is refusing to be controlled, as Gravas sits in half guard. Andreev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gravas pulls his head out easily. Gravas stalling. It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Alexey Andreev will probably get the nod. Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Andreev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gravas throws out the jab. Gravas throws a big shot that misses. A shot to the body from Gravas misses and Andreev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw. That kick from Gravas tenderised Andreev's leg. Andreev is trying to keep his angry face on. Jab by Andreev. Andreev avoids a low kick by using good footwork. Gravas misses with an attempted mid kick.
Gravas throws a leg kick which misses Andreev's front leg but catches the back leg as Andreev tries to avoid it. Andreev throws a big shot that misses. Gravas misses with a low kick.
Andreev throwing a counter right hand but Gravas manages to avoid it. Gravas throws a nice outside leg kick. Nice shot lands for Andreev. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Andreev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Andreev ducks under a wild hook from Gravas . A slapping body kick lands there for Gravas . Gravas throws a hook but Andreev avoids it easily. Andreev defending well as Gravas loads up on a big left hand.
That's one minute gone in the round. Andreev moves out of range of the body kick from Gravas .
Gravas takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away. Gravas lands a right hook to the body.
Andreev drops his hands momentarily and Gravas takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head. Gravas takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it. Gravas throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle. Andreev paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button. Some bone on bone action there as Andreev checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one. Gravas looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Andreev feints and as Gravas raises his hands in defense, Andreev changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard. This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Gravas 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. Andreev throws a big elbow that misses. Gravas trying to control the position.
Andreev connects with a couple of short punches.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Gravas keeping moving, preventing Andreev from controlling successfully. Andreev scoring with some ground and pound. Andreev sitting in guard, not really doing much. Andreev seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Gravas for as long as he can get away with. Andreev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat. Andreev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat. Andreev is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact. Andreev not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Andreev lands a couple of decent looking shots. Andreev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat. Andreev trying to control the position from guard on top but Gravas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can. Andreev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gravas works some decent striking defense from the bottom. Hammerfist, elbow! yells Andreev's corner. There ya go! There ya go! Gravas is looking for a triangle but Andreev pushes his legs off easily.
Andreev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gravas works some decent striking defense from the bottom. Andreev slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard. Andreev trying to control but Gravas is working from the bottom.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Andreev working some strikes from top position. Andreev is working Gravas over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes. Andreev stands up over Gravas , holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head. The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing. Andreev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent. Gravas preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage. Gravas is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent. Gravas bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Andreev's guard.
Andreev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gravas can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself. Gravas content to stall in guard here. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Alexey Andreev will probably get the nod. The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
A slapping body kick lands there for Gravas . Andreev stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Gravas . A slow jab from Gravas misses its intended target. Gravas uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Andreev. Gravas displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Andreev. Gravas throws the kick towards the body but Andreev avoids it. Gravas is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Andreev. Andreev feinted with a counter takedown. Gravas throws a body kick that misses. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. A looping hook to the body misses from Gravas . Andreev does a little dance to reset his feet. Andreev attempts a counter takedown but Gravas avoids it well and moves away. Gravas finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Andreev swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect. Gravas thows a leg kick but Andreev checks it and Andreev counters with a nice double leg into half guard. Gravas on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound. Gravas is refusing to be controlled, as Andreev sits in half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round. Andreev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gravas 's head. Gravas is trying to get back to full guard. Gravas is concentrating on defense, preventing Andreev from advancing position. Andreev scoring with strikes to the body and head. The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work. Andreev trying to control the action but Gravas is working from the bottom. Andreev looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gravas with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position. Gravas is looking to control Andreev's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gravas avoid being mounted?
That's two minutes gone in the round. Andreev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gravas 's head. Andreev lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears. Andreev is trying to control. Gravas wants to improve his position but can't escape this time. Gravas is looking to improve his position.
Andreev not landing any meaningful shots this time. Ground and pound from Andreev. Gravas wants to get back to full guard. Andreev scores with a couple of good hammerfists. Gravas is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Andreev scores with a couple of nice shots. Andreev wants to control but Gravas is keeping him busy.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Gravas desperately trying to maintain half guard. Andreev perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there. Andreev not landing any meaningful shots this time. Gravas trying to control from the bottom.
Andreev working over Gravas with some ground and pound. Gravas looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable. Andreev is keen to just control but Gravas is a slippery customer. Gravas on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound. Gravas trying to control here.
Gravas is looking for a sweep. Andreev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position. Alexey Andreev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far. Andreev is taking a breather. Gravas says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Gravas tries to get to full guard but Andreev has control of the leg. Andreev scores with a couple of good hammerfists. Andreev is trying to control the action in half guard but Gravas is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard. Gravas manages to get to full guard.
Andreev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry. Andreev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time. The crowd thankful this round is nearly over. Andreev wants to control from the top but Gravas keeps moving. Gravas looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Andreev passes into half guard.
Andreev stalling away here and it's allowed Gravas to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Alexey Andreev clearly takes that round. Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Gravas throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Gravas looks to score with a jab to the body but Andreev is just out of range. A shot to the liver by Gravas . Beautiful body shot. Gravas throws an overhand right that lands on Andreev's shoulder, as Andreev tries to avoid the shot. A little feinted left hand from Andreev on the counter but he doesn't commit to it. Andreev's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Andreev duly obliges. Andreev steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Gravas . That one must have hurt. Gravas misses with a low kick. Andreev lands a body shot.
Andreev slips under a jab from Gravas . Andreev clobbers Gravas with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise. Gravas has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Andreev finds it's way round the side to connect with Gravas 's head. Andreev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gravas . This has been an exciting period of action! Andreev blocks a jab. Gravas misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Andreev.
Gravas throws a leg kick that is checked and Andreev decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gravas 's guard.
That's one minute gone in the round. Gravas keeping moving, preventing Andreev from controlling successfully. Andreev keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gravas 's head. Andreev throws a big right hand that misses. Andreev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gravas is keeping the position for now. Gravas wants to sweep here but Andreev controlling him for the moment. Andreev throws a big elbow that misses. Gravas looking to sweep here. No luck so far. Andreev stands up over Gravas , holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head. Andreev trying to control but Gravas is working from the bottom. Andreev lands a couple of elbows.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Andreev makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard. Gravas wants to hit a switch here but Andreev passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Gravas there! Andreev fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Andreev is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Gravas can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Andreev lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Gravas hang on? Gravas is bucking up trying to escape but Andreev cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Gravas is rocked! This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Andreev punishing his opponent with strikes. Gravas is still in real trouble! Can Andreev finish him? Andreev lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Gravas hang on? Andreev loads up with a big shot that hurts Gravas ! He's pulled Andreev in close but Andreev has postured up and lands more strikes. Can Gravas survive? More strikes from Andreev and Gravas is out! The ref jumps in to save him! Brutal ground and pound!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 4, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Alexey Andreev! Alexey Andreev retains his middleweight title! Alexey Andreev tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
50% |
|
|
|
|
|
|