PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Khalifman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erico Plaza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!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.

Khalifman
vs
Plaza

185 cm
20
175 lbs
8 - 0 - 1

170 cm
20
182 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Solid boxing
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

[JMFC] Proof Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexander Khalifman!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Erico Plaza!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Chris Downing and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Plaza will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Khalifman jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Khalifman connects with a body shot.
Plaza on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Plaza drops his hands momentarily and Khalifman takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Plaza avoids the body shot from Khalifman.
Plaza avoids the body shot from Khalifman.
Plaza uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Khalifman.
Khalifman lands a slapping body shot.
Khalifman looks to score with a jab to the body but Plaza is just out of range.
Plaza moves out of range of the strikes.
Plaza keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Plaza takes one on the button.
Khalifman stuns Plaza with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Khalifman misses with a body shot.
Khalifman lands a jab to Plaza's midsection.
Plaza fails to land the takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Khalifman. No joy for Plaza on that attempt.
Alexander Khalifman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erico Plaza.
Plaza fails with a takedown attempt.
Khalifman lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

It looks like Erico Plaza has been cut.
Alexander Khalifman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khalifman misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Plaza.
Khalifman is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Khalifman lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Khalifman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Khalifman is looking to wear down Plaza with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Plaza fails with a takedown attempt.
Khalifman dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A shot to de liver by Khalifman. Beautiful body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Khalifman bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Khalifman is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khalifman scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Plaza doesn't seem bothered though.
Plaza looks gassed!
Khalifman connects with a body shot.
Khalifman scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Khalifman connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Plaza avoids the body shot from Khalifman.
Plaza fails with a takedown attempt.
Good shot there by Khalifman.
Khalifman fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Plaza manages to avoid it.
Khalifman thuds a left hand into Plaza's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Khalifman misses the shot to the body.
Khalifman jabs Plaza right on the nose. Plaza blinks but takes it well.
Khalifman tries to bum rush Plaza with a series of wild strikes but Plaza uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Plaza uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Khalifman.
Alexander Khalifman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Plaza uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Khalifman.
Khalifman lands a jab to the head.
Khalifman scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Khalifman lands a right hook to the body.
Plaza takes a jab right on the kisser.
Khalifman scores with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Khalifman dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Erico Plaza's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Khalifman clobbers Plaza with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Plaza uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Khalifman.
Khalifman takes a swing at Plaza's ribcage but misses.
Erico Plaza is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Plaza is trying hard to land a takedown here. Khalifman sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Plaza avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Khalifman scores with a body shot.
Khalifman throws a body punch but Plaza moves out of range.
Khalifman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Plaza was well out of range. Poor timing from Khalifman.
Khalifman throws a body punch but Plaza moves out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Khalifman darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Plaza takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Khalifman lands a jab to Plaza's midsection.
Khalifman is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Plaza can do to turn this around?
Khalifman stuffs the takedown.
Plaza is breathing heavily.
Khalifman ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Khalifman sizes up Plaza with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Plaza is trying desperately to land a takedown but Khalifman is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Plaza.
Khalifman lands a nice looking body shot.
Plaza gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Khalifman sizes up Plaza with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Khalifman lands a really nice looking cross but Plaza seems unphased.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khalifman fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Plaza manages to avoid it.
Plaza closes this distance looking for a takedown but Khalifman circles away.
Alexander Khalifman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erico Plaza.
Khalifman thows a body shot but no joy.
Nice shot lands for Khalifman.
Khalifman thuds his right hand into Plaza's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Khalifman works Plaza's body with a nice hook.
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!
Khalifman throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Alexander Khalifman is winning the standup battle so far.
Khalifman connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Khalifman throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Plaza.
Plaza shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Khalifman defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khalifman clobbers Plaza with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Khalifman lands a lovely overhand right.
Khalifman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A jab from Khalifman finds it's way through Plaza's defenses.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Plaza.
Plaza gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Plaza or perhaps it was just good defense by Khalifman which made him look bad.
Khalifman works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Plaza tries to clinch up.
Khalifman scores with a hook to the body. Plaza takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nice takedown defense from Khalifman. No joy for Plaza on that attempt.
Khalifman lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That has opened up Erico Plaza's cut even more.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Plaza takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Plaza on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Khalifman dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Erico Plaza's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Plaza takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Plaza takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Khalifman punishes Plaza's body with a nice straight punch.
Khalifman wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A cross from Khalifman lands.
Khalifman scores with a jab to the head.
Khalifman fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Plaza on the side of the head.

Plaza is rocked!
Plaza takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Khalifman drops Plaza with a naaaaasty hook - Plaza is in real trouble here! Khalifman dives in to side control and pounds out his opponent for a TKO victory! The crowd goes nuts!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:52 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Alexander Khalifman!
Alexander Khalifman retains his welterweight title!