PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Tverdovskiy (ranked 454 p4p, 60 weight class) and Tan Zan (ranked 446 p4p, 58 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Tverdovskiy might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Oxxxymiron - Tentacles. 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.

Tverdovskiy
vs
Zan

180 cm
21
164 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

172 cm
28
164 lbs
14 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Arcticus University: London

Groove Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Alexander Tverdovskiy!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tan Zan!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Aleksandr Martynov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zan throws a shot to the body.
Jab from Zan.
Tverdovskiy takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Tverdovskiy uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zan.
A slow jab from Zan misses its intended target.
Zan throws a good cross that connects.
Zan takes a swing at Tverdovskiy's ribcage but misses.
It looked like Tverdovskiy wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Tverdovskiy takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Crunch! Tverdovskiy slams his shin into Zan's torso.
Zan changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Zan throws a lazy right hand but Tverdovskiy sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zan 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.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tverdovskiy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zan looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Tverdovskiy cracks the inside of Zan's front leg.
Tverdovskiy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zan was well out of range. Poor timing from Tverdovskiy.
Zan scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Tan Zan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tverdovskiy throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Tverdovskiy has been working on his boxing with his coaches at VenDettaGYM in the buildup to the fight.
Tverdovskiy looks for the body kick but Zan saw that one coming.
A nice side step and Zan releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zan misses with a looping right.
Zan moves in looking to clinch but Tverdovskiy pushes him off.
Zan misses the shot to the body.
Zan throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Tverdovskiy on the side of the head.
Zan lands with a cross.
Tverdovskiy misses with a few strikes there.
Tverdovskiy lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Zan swings for the body but Tverdovskiy moves out of range.
Zan lands a slapping body shot.
Zan throws a body punch but Tverdovskiy moves out of range.
Tverdovskiy scores with a spinning back kick!
Zan misses the shot to the body.
Tverdovskiy lands with a nice body kick.
Zan blocks a head kick by Tverdovskiy.
Zan let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zan throws a hook to the side of Tverdovskiy's head but Tverdovskiy sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tverdovskiy connects with a solid leg kick.
Zan misses with a looping left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tverdovskiy manages to avoid it.
Zan misses the shot to the body.
Tverdovskiy thuds his shin into the meat of Zan's side.
Zan throws a big shot that misses.
A big right from Tverdovskiy misses.
Zan steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Tverdovskiy. That one must have hurt.
Zan throws a body shot but no joy.
Zan misses with a hook. Tverdovskiy ducked under it nicely.
Zan misses with a hook. Tverdovskiy ducked under it nicely.
As Zan looks to move away, Tverdovskiy throws a big counter combo but Zan just gets out of the way.
Zan has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Tverdovskiy.
Zan just misses with a punch to the body.
Tverdovskiy throws a body punch but Zan moves out of range.
Tverdovskiy uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zan.
Tverdovskiy lands a front kick.
Tverdovskiy scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Zan doesn't seem bothered though.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tverdovskiy.
Zan with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tverdovskiy scores with a leg kick.
Tverdovskiy scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Tverdovskiy on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Zan is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Tverdovskiy rather than just go for the knockout.
Zan misses with a hook to the body
and Tverdovskiy counters with an inside leg kick.
Tverdovskiy takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Tverdovskiy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zan throws a lazy right hand but Tverdovskiy sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tverdovskiy buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Zan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tverdovskiy.
Zan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tverdovskiy pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Zan misses with a lunging right hand
and Tverdovskiy makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Tverdovskiy takes one on the button.
Zan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tverdovskiy throws out the jab.
Good leg kick by Tverdovskiy there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tverdovskiy lands an overhand right.
Tverdovskiy connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Tverdovskiy misses with an uppercut. Zan saw that one coming.
Tverdovskiy throws a shot from downtown. Zan moves away and avoids it.
Zan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tverdovskiy manages to avoid it.
Tverdovskiy lands with a thumping leg kick.
Tverdovskiy slips under a jab from Zan.
Tverdovskiy moves away from the strike by Zan.
Tverdovskiy appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Tverdovskiy lands with a straight right. Zan didn't see that one coming.
Zan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tverdovskiy swings for the body but Zan moves out of range.
Tverdovskiy throws a jab but it's blocked by Zan.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A shot to the body from Zan misses
and Tverdovskiy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Zan has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tverdovskiy.
Zan takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Zan misses with an uppercut.
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 Alexander Tverdovskiy will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Tverdovskiy throws a nice inside leg kick.
Zan takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Zan changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Tverdovskiy connects with a jab.
Tverdovskiy is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zan.
Zan looks to score with a jab to the body but Tverdovskiy is just out of range.
Zan jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Donk. Zan catches Tverdovskiy right on the button with a cross.
Tverdovskiy cracks Zan with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zan. Tverdovskiy does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zan throws a hook to the side of Tverdovskiy's head but Tverdovskiy sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tverdovskiy looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Zan just misses with a punch to the body.
Tverdovskiy is looking to counter with a body kick.
Zan avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Alexander Tverdovskiy is winning the standup battle so far.
Tverdovskiy lands with a thumping leg kick.
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!
Tverdovskiy looks to throw the jab but Zan is out of range.
A jab from Zan does it's job there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tverdovskiy goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
The fighters circling - Tverdovskiy throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tverdovskiy staying out of range there.
Zan throws a right hand that misses
and Tverdovskiy counters with a thumping low kick.
Tverdovskiy cracks the inside of Zan's front leg.
Zan ducks under a wild hook from Tverdovskiy.
Zan throws a hook but Tverdovskiy avoids it easily.
Zan is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Tverdovskiy scores with a kick to the midsection.
Zan's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Tverdovskiy misses with a head kick.
Zan on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Zan getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Tverdovskiy misses with a looping left.
Tverdovskiy connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Zan's hands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tverdovskiy avoids the body shot from Zan.
Zan cracks Tverdovskiy with a good jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zan scores with a crisp jab that stopped Tverdovskiy in his tracks.
Tverdovskiy takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Tverdovskiy ducks right into an uppercut from Zan.
Tverdovskiy misses with a series of wild punches.
Tverdovskiy throws a nice outside leg kick.
Tverdovskiy staying out of range there.
A punch combination from Tverdovskiy misses.
A lazy left from Zan finds it's target.
Zan scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tverdovskiy doesn't seem bothered though.
Zan works the jab nicely.
Tverdovskiy explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Zan misses with a body shot.
Tverdovskiy bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tverdovskiy swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zan lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Zan moves away from the strike by Tverdovskiy.
Tverdovskiy loads up on a big right hand but Zan slips the punch.
Tverdovskiy lands a slapping body shot.
Zan misses with a hook
and Tverdovskiy counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Tverdovskiy bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Zan misses with a right hand
and Tverdovskiy finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Tverdovskiy drops his hands momentarily and Zan takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Zan misses with a double jab.
Tverdovskiy lands a jab.
Zan throws a body shot but no joy.
Tverdovskiy dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A decent looking body kick lands there for Tverdovskiy.
Crunch! Tverdovskiy slams his shin into Zan's torso.
Tverdovskiy scores with a push kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters circling a little - Tverdovskiy finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Zan is breathing heavily.
Zan lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tverdovskiy at a distance.
Tverdovskiy lands a nice leg kick that just misses Zan's sensitive parts.
Zan takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A big left from Zan misses.
Tverdovskiy scores with a kick to the midsection.
Zan walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Zan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tverdovskiy manages to avoid it.
Tverdovskiy looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Zan misses with a hook. Tverdovskiy ducked under it nicely.
Tverdovskiy uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zan.
Zan blocks a jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tverdovskiy throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
The fighters circling - Tverdovskiy throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tverdovskiy throws a body kick that misses.
A big left from Zan misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Tverdovskiy dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Zan is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Tverdovskiy with a hook.
Zan walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Tverdovskiy with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Tverdovskiy.
A decent looking cross lands there for Zan.
Tverdovskiy throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tverdovskiy throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zan punishes Tverdovskiy's body with a nice straight punch.
Zan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tverdovskiy was well out of range. Poor timing from Zan.
Tverdovskiy appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Zan lands a really nice looking cross but Tverdovskiy seems unphased.
Tverdovskiy misses with a left hand
and Zan counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Tverdovskiy thinking.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Good leg kick by Tverdovskiy there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Tverdovskiy uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zan.
Zan missing with a left hand there. Tverdovskiy was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zan misses with a hook to the body
and Tverdovskiy counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tverdovskiy feints and then cracks Zan's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Zan down.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Zan crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Tverdovskiy - the referee stops the clock and Zan gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Tverdovskiy. Zan manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Zan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zan jabs at Tverdovskiy's body.
Tverdovskiy fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Zan has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Zan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tverdovskiy manages to avoid it.
Zan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zan lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Zan misses with an uppercut
and Tverdovskiy counters with a slapping leg kick.
Tverdovskiy scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Tverdovskiy staying out of range there.
Zan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tverdovskiy misses with a looping left.
Zan misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tverdovskiy throws the kick towards the body but Zan avoids it.
Tverdovskiy misses with a low kick as Zan jumps back.
Zan throws a poor cross that misses
and Tverdovskiy counters with a good low kick that Zan was not able to check.
Tverdovskiy turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A slow jab from Zan misses its intended target.
Tverdovskiy looks to throw the jab but Zan is out of range.
Zan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tverdovskiy manages to avoid it.
Good leg kick by Tverdovskiy there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Tverdovskiy throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Zan tries to clinch up.
Tverdovskiy throws a big counter combination but Zan scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Zan throws an overhand right that lands on Tverdovskiy's shoulder, as Tverdovskiy tries to avoid the shot.
A little feinted left hand from Tverdovskiy on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Tverdovskiy is looking to slow Zan down with leg kicks.
Zan loads up on a big right hand but Tverdovskiy slips the punch.
Zan moves out of range of the body kick.
Zan misses with a wild body shot.
Tverdovskiy fires out a quick counter leg kick but Zan just manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zan scores with a hook to the body. Tverdovskiy takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Crunch! Tverdovskiy slams his shin into Zan's torso.
Zan slips a jab from Tverdovskiy.
Tverdovskiy moves away from the strike by Zan.
Tverdovskiy steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zan.
A good leg kick by Tverdovskiy.
Nice cross by Tverdovskiy.
Tverdovskiy swats away the attempt to clinch by Zan.
Tverdovskiy throws a quick inside leg kick.
Zan moves out of range as Tverdovskiy throws a body kick.
Zan swings for the body but Tverdovskiy moves out of range.
It looked like Tverdovskiy wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Tverdovskiy connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zan misses with a left hand
and Tverdovskiy makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Zan wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Tverdovskiy swings for the body but Zan moves out of range.
Zan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A telegraphed right hand from Tverdovskiy misses the target.
Zan tests Tverdovskiy's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tverdovskiy tries to work over Zan's front leg with a kick but Zan checks it.
Tverdovskiy looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Tverdovskiy pushes Zan away with a front kick.
Zan with a nice cross.
Nice shot lands for Zan.
Zan lands with a good body shot.
Tverdovskiy scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Zan lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Tverdovskiy avoids the body shot from Zan.
Tverdovskiy lets loose with a powerful body kick. Zan will feel that in the morning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Alexander Tverdovskiy did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Tverdovskiy's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Zan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tverdovskiy.
A jab lands there for Zan.
Zan scores with a jab to the body.
Zan takes a swing at Tverdovskiy's ribcage but misses.
Tverdovskiy throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Zan moves into the clinch.
Zan struggles to land a body shot inside as Tverdovskiy controls his hands.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tverdovskiy creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zan.
Zan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Tverdovskiy is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Tverdovskiy seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zan lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Tverdovskiy lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Zan backwards.
Zan lands a left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good body shot from Zan.
Tverdovskiy blocks a body shot from Zan.
Zan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zan pushes Tverdovskiy back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Zan gets through Tverdovskiy's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Zan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tverdovskiy's elbow.
Tverdovskiy lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Tverdovskiy stalling against the cage.
Zan lands a nice uppercut.
Zan misses with some punches.
Tverdovskiy lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Tverdovskiy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zan misses with a punch on the inside.
Tverdovskiy's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short uppercut from Zan.
Tverdovskiy looking to slow down the pace here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tverdovskiy breaks from the clinch.
Tverdovskiy works the jab nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tverdovskiy takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Tverdovskiy takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Tverdovskiy scores with a leg kick.
Tverdovskiy bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zan misses with an uppercut
and Tverdovskiy counters with a head kick.
Zan throws a shot to the body.
Zan throws an off balance right hand
and Tverdovskiy counters with a nice kick to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Tverdovskiy. Those never looked like landing.
Zan takes a swing at Tverdovskiy's ribcage but misses.
Tverdovskiy turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Zan looks to land a left hand but Tverdovskiy moved out of range nicely.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Tverdovskiy lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Zan has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Zan and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zan loads up on a big right hand but Tverdovskiy slips the punch.
Zan misses with a looping left.
Tverdovskiy fakes the leg kick and cracks Zan in the body.
Tverdovskiy is looking to slow Zan down with leg kicks.
Tverdovskiy moves out of range of the strikes.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Tverdovskiy, as that shot connected.
Tverdovskiy with a hook.
Zan throws a body punch but Tverdovskiy moves out of range.
Tverdovskiy tried to counter with a leg kick but Zan avoided it.
Zan clobbers Tverdovskiy with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tverdovskiy. That's going to slow Zan down.
Zan bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Tverdovskiy's head backwards.
A slow jab from Zan misses its intended target.
It looked like Tverdovskiy wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Tverdovskiy scores with a kick to the midsection.
Zan takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tverdovskiy lands with a kick to the ribs.
Tverdovskiy lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Tverdovskiy uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zan.
Tverdovskiy throws a sloppy head kick and Zan moves out of range easily.
Zan throws a jab when Tverdovskiy was well out of range.
Tverdovskiy slips a jab from Zan.
A good leg kick by Tverdovskiy.
Tverdovskiy throws a head kick that misses.
Tverdovskiy scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Zan takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Tverdovskiy will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Zan misses with a looping left.
As Zan backs away, Tverdovskiy returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Zan lands with a right hand.
Tverdovskiy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Alexander Tverdovskiy will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Zan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tverdovskiy throws a quick counter kick to the body but Zan avoids it.
Zan lands a nice looking body shot.
Zan connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Zan throws a body shot but no joy.
Zan throws a sloppy body shot
and Tverdovskiy counters with a straight right hand.
Tverdovskiy works the jab nicely.
Zan throws a hook but Tverdovskiy avoids it easily.
Zan stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Tverdovskiy takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Zan misses with a straight left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tverdovskiy looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Tverdovskiy misses with a body punch
and Zan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The crowd cheers as Tverdovskiy lands an impressive looking overhand right. Zan doesn't seem phased though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tverdovskiy tries to move into range but Zan moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A swing and a miss from Tverdovskiy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zan throws the left hand but Tverdovskiy avoids the punch easily.
Tverdovskiy fails to land with a series of punches.
Tverdovskiy tries to bum rush Zan with a series of wild strikes but Zan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tverdovskiy fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Zan misses with a hook. Tverdovskiy ducked under it nicely.
Zan lands a nice hook to Tverdovskiy's body. Tverdovskiy takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Zan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tverdovskiy was well out of range. Poor timing from Zan.
Zan throws a good cross that connects.
Tverdovskiy lands with a shot to the body.
Zan swings for the body but Tverdovskiy moves out of range.
Nice body punch from Zan.
Zan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zan throws the left hand but Tverdovskiy avoids the punch easily.
Zan scores with a nice strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tverdovskiy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zan.
Tverdovskiy takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tverdovskiy throws a head kick that misses.
Zan sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Tverdovskiy misses with an uppercut
and Zan counters with a straight right hand.
Good leg kick by Tverdovskiy there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Zan clobbers Tverdovskiy with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Tverdovskiy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tverdovskiy feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Zan's calf.
Tverdovskiy throws a jab but it's blocked by Zan.
Tverdovskiy lands with a nice body punch.
Tverdovskiy looks to land a body kick but Zan moved away.
Zan appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Zan tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tverdovskiy misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zan throws out a powerful jab.
Zan throws a lazy uppercut
and Tverdovskiy counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Zan connects with a body shot.
Tverdovskiy is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Tverdovskiy buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Zan throws a jab when Tverdovskiy was well out of range.
You can see that Zan has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Zan misses with a body shot.
Tan Zan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zan punishes Tverdovskiy's body with a nice straight punch.
Zan moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Zan misses with a lunging right hand
and Tverdovskiy counters with a straight right hand.
Zan tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tverdovskiy takes a swing at Zan's ribcage but misses.
Zan throws a sloppy body shot
and Tverdovskiy counters with a thumping low kick.
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!
Zan throws a predictable looking body shot
and Tverdovskiy counters with a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tverdovskiy turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tverdovskiy cracks the inside of Zan's front leg.
Zan tries to clinch there but Tverdovskiy circles away.
Tverdovskiy jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Tverdovskiy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tverdovskiy moves out of range as Zan strikes.
Zan lands with a shot to the body.
A good leg kick by Tverdovskiy.
Tverdovskiy lands with a slapping head kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zan. Tverdovskiy does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zan takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Tverdovskiy moves out of range as Zan strikes.
Tverdovskiy connects with a leg kick. Zan looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Tverdovskiy scores with a kick to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tverdovskiy changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Alexander Tverdovskiy.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tverdovskiy, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 50:46
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 50:45
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Tverdovskiy!
Alexander Tverdovskiy is the new lightweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Alexander Tverdovskiy thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.