PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chev Chelios (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Houston Alexander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Chelios
vs
Alexander

185 cm
19
199 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

186 cm
20
210 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chev Chelios!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Houston Alexander!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Frank Dennis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chelios is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Houston Alexander seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Chelios shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Alexander as he avoids it easily.
Alexander tries to clinch up.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Alexander lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nice sprawl there from Alexander as Chelios shoots in.
Chelios shoots in looking for a takedown. Alexander tries to sprawl out of it but Chelios keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Alexander manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chev Chelios. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chelios is breathing heavily.
Alexander throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Alexander darts in trying to clinch
and Chelios counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Alexander tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Alexander throws a push kick but Chelios slaps the foot to one side.
Alexander throws a head kick that misses.

Alexander takes the fight into the clinch.
Alexander connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Chev Chelios has been cut.
Alexander lands an elbow inside.
Alexander lands an elbow inside that Chelios shrugs off.
Alexander lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A knee to the head by Alexander.
Alexander stops a takedown attempt from Chelios.
Nice elbow from Alexander.
Chelios takes an elbow to the temple.
A knee to the head by Alexander.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexander throws a knee to the head but misses.
Alexander lands an elbow inside that Chelios shrugs off.
Alexander lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Alexander connects with a knee to the head.
Alexander lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Alexander connects with a knee to the head.
Alexander lands an elbow just above Chelios 's eye.
Alexander using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Chelios has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Chelios is looking to break free of the clinch but Alexander has double underhooks.
Alexander comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Chelios tries to pull guard but Alexander won't allow it.
Alexander with a knee to the head.
Chelios blocks an elbow strike.
Chelios tries to pull guard but Alexander won't allow it.
Alexander tries to land a knee to the head but Chelios blocks with his arms.
Alexander lands an elbow that stopped Chelios in his tracks for a moment.
Alexander lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Alexander lands a knee to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Chelios fails to land.
Alexander lands a knee to the head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Alexander just misses with a elbow thrown towards Chelios's brow.
Alexander throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Chelios tries to pull guard but Alexander won't allow it.
Alexander tries to land a knee to the head but Chelios blocks with his arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nice elbow from Alexander.
Alexander with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Alexander with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Chelios lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Alexander tries to roll over but Chelios keeps him under control.
Alexander misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Alexander wants to get back to his feet.
Alexander is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Chelios jumps into side control!
Alexander is trying to get back to half guard.
Chelios working the ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Chelios has a takedown stuffed.

Alexander moves into range and clinches up with Chelios.
Alexander with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexander creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Chelios's defenses.
Chelios changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Alexander fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Nice body kick there by Chelios.

Alexander gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Alexander lands a damaging elbow.
Chelios fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Chelios trying to control the position but instead, Alexander has worked for underhooks and has pushed Chelios into the cage.
Alexander misses with a knee to the head.
Alexander gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Chelios tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Alexander smiles and moves away.
Alexander lands a high kick!
Chelios checks a low kick from Alexander.
Chelios shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Alexander as he avoids it easily.
Alexander tries to clinch there but Chelios circles away.
Nice takedown defense from Alexander. No joy for Chelios on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexander connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Chelios momentarily.
Houston Alexander is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Chelios closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Chelios lands in his opponent's guard.
Chelios trying to control but Alexander is working from the bottom.
Alexander looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Alexander is on top in guard.
Chelios is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Alexander is controlling him.
Alexander lands a couple of elbows.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Chelios escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Alexander gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Alexander is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Houston Alexander dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chev Chelios's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Alexander shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Alexander is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Chelios.
Chelios swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Alexander.
Left hook, right uppercut from Chelios.
Alexander pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Chev Chelios is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Chelios chopping away at his opponent's legs.
The fight stays on the outside here - Chelios looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Chelios lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Alexander throws a head kick that misses
and Chelios counters with a three punch combo that has Alexander backing up. Alexander nods at Chelios to acknowledge the strikes.
Alexander throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Chelios moves into range and clinches up with Alexander.

Chelios manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Alexander postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Alexander throwing strikes from guard but Chelios blocks nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Alexander is looking to work some ground and pound but Chelios has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chelios trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Alexander stops Chelios from standing up.

Alexander stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Alexander closes the distance but Chelios moves to the side

and Chelios counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Alexander's guard now.
Chelios trying to control but Alexander is working from the bottom.
Alexander will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Alexander manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Chelios manages to get himself to full guard.

Alexander avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Chelios working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexander lands a couple of elbows.
Alexander landing with the ground and pound.
Alexander throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Chelios has momentary wrist control but Alexander slips an elbow through the middle.
Chelios working a defensive guard here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Chelios fails with the takedown.
Alexander scores with a head kick.
Chelios shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Alexander but Alexander pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Alexander clinches up with Chelios and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chelios tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Alexander smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chev Chelios. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alexander throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Chelios blocks a head kick by Alexander.
Chelios changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Alexander tries to avoid it but Chelios manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Alexander to the ground. Alexander escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Alexander wants to clinch
and Chelios counters with a nice body shot.
Alexander lands with a cross.
Alexander moves in looking to clinch but Chelios pushes him off.
Chelios lands with a slapping head kick.
Alexander scores with a crisp jab that stopped Chelios in his tracks.

Chelios looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Alexander!
Alexander keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Alexander throwing hammer fists to the chest of Chelios. What's that going to do exactly?
Alexander throwing punches from his back. He's mounted here but still fighting back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexander is trying to escape the mount.
Feeble punches landing from Alexander - he's mounted - they can't hurt.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Chelios cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Chelios working the ground and pound effectively.
The referee warns Alexander that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Alexander flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Chelios lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Chelios looking to secure an arm triangle but Alexander defends it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Alexander is in all sorts of trouble here.
Chelios postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Alexander looks a forlorn figure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chev Chelios dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Chev Chelios's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Alexander clinches.

Chelios turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Alexander is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Chelios off and has taken his back!
Alexander lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Alexander lands shots from the back.
Chelios 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.
Chelios looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Alexander. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Alexander is working the ground and pound. Can Chelios escape?
Alexander lands a shot to the body.
Alexander is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Chelios up.
Alexander is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Alexander gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Alexander gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Alexander apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Alexander has closed the distance and engaged Chelios in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chelios jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Alexander walks away with a smile on his face. Chelios gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Horrible takedown by Chelios or perhaps it was just good defense by Alexander which made him look bad.
Chelios closes this distance looking for a takedown but Alexander circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chev Chelios. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chelios keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Alexander swats away the attempt to clinch by Chelios.

Chelios clinches up against the cage.
Alexander lands a knee to the head.
Alexander throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Chelios blocks it with crossed arms.
Alexander throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Chelios blocks it with crossed arms.
Alexander creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Chelios's defenses.
Chelios has a couple of punches blocked by Alexander.
Alexander using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Chelios has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Alexander with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Alexander landing knees to the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Alexander.

Chelios manages to pull guard.
Alexander wants to stand and escape but instead Chelios has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Chelios is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexander throws a nice elbow from the bottom.
Alexander trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Chelios is pushing down on Alexander's leg trying to pass to half guard. Alexander is fighting to maintain full guard but Chelios has managed to sneak the leg through.
Chelios wants to stand up but Alexander is controlling the position.
Alexander moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Chelios pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Alexander is keeping the position for now.
Alexander throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Alexander throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Chelios drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Chelios jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Chelios loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Alexander kicks Chelios off and gets to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Chelios blocks the low kick.
Chelios tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Alexander swivels and escapes.
Alexander thumps Chelios with a low kick.
Chelios shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nice sprawl there from Alexander as Chelios shoots in.
Alexander throws a lazy head kick

and Chelios counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Chelios is looking for a kimura but Alexander is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Chelios to get the leverage.
Alexander wants to get back to his feet.
Chelios lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Chelios is trying to control. Alexander wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Alexander kicks Chelios off and gets back to his feet.
Alexander closes the distance but Chelios moves to the side

so Chelios counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Alexander tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Chelios is looking to work some ground and pound but Alexander has wrist control.
Alexander is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Alexander throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexander punching from the bottom.
Alexander is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Chelios trying to control the position from guard on top but Alexander is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alexander looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Chelios puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Chelios stops Alexander from getting back to his feet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Chelios displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Chelios shoots in for a double leg but Alexander sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Alexander tries to close the distance and clinch but Chelios swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Alexander fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Chelios, pushing him back against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Alexander creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Chelios's defenses.
Alexander tries a knee to the head but Chelios blocks it.
Alexander lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Alexander tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Alexander tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Alexander landing knees to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chev Chelios showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Chelios has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chev Chelios!