PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alf Alfis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Massem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Alfis
vs
Massem

175 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Alf Alfis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Mark Massem!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Andrew Berry and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice inside leg kick there by Alfis. That's going to slow Massem down.
Massem misses with a takedown attempt - Alfis sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Alfis getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Alf Alfis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Massem is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Massem shoots in but no luck this time.
Massem fails in his attempt to clinch.
Massem fails to land the takedown.
Alf Alfis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Massem.

Alfis tries to keep at a distance but Massem has taken the fight into the clinch.
Massem is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Alfis pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Massem tries to score a body lock takedown but Alfis shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Alfis is trying to break the clinch but Massem has him pressed against the cage.
Massem tries to pull guard but Alfis won't allow it.
Massem is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Alfis pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Alfis tries to break free but Massem pushes him back against the cage.
Alfis is looking to break free of the clinch but Massem has double underhooks.
Alfis throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Alfis has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Massem has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Alfis avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Massem looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alfis is trying to force a seperation but Massem has the dominant position.

Massem manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Massem avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Alfis thows a big elbow that misses.
Alfis postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Massem keeping moving, preventing Alfis from controlling successfully.
Alfis is looking to advance position but Massem has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Alfis tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alfis regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alfis is trying to maintain the position but Massem is very close to passing his half guard.
Massem trying to control the action but Alfis is working from the bottom.
Massem is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
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!

Massem swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Alfis is now in Massem's guard. A big mistake from Massem there, giving up the dominant position!
Alfis tries to free his leg and advance position but Massem is retaining full guard.
Alfis wants to get up but he can't break Massem's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alfis is stalling in the full guard.
Alfis in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Alfis is looking to work some ground and pound but Massem has wrist control.
Alfis might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Alfis postures up in Massem's guard and throws a big left but Massem blocks it.
Alfis throwing strikes but missing.
Alfis stopping the sweep attempt from Massem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alfis looking to sit in guard and control but Massem gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Alfis looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Massem has picked Alfis up and slammed him! Alfis can't keep hold of the triangle and Massem manages to pass to side control!
Alfis is looking to reverse the position.
Alfis gets back to half guard.
Massem has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alfis is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alf Alfis dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Massem shoots in and drives through. Alfis sprawls well.
Alfis swinging wildly here.
Nice sprawl there from Alfis as Massem shoots in.
Alfis looks to land a combination but Massem avoids it well.
Alfis uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Massem is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Alfis throws a good cross that connects.
Horrible takedown by Massem or perhaps it was just good defense by Alfis which made him look bad.
Alf Alfis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Massem.
The fight stays on the outside here - Massem looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Alf Alfis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Massem scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Alfis is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Alfis is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Alfis looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alfis is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Massem stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Alfis to get to his feet.
Massem closes the distance and clinches up with Alfis, looking for a takedown. Massem pushes Alfis against the cage but Alfis circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Massem misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Alfis connects with a right hand. Massem shakes it off.
Alfis looks to score with a jab to the body but Massem is just out of range.
Massem doesn't manage to clinch there - Alfis circles away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Massem.
Alfis scores with a decent looking hook.
Alfis lands with a hook. Massem tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Massem thumps Alfis with a low kick.

Massem clinches up with Alfis and pushes him back against the cage.
Alfis prevents the takedown attempt.
Massem taking a breather.
Alfis is trying to break the clinch but Massem has him pressed against the cage.
Alfis wants to get back to striking at distance but Massem won't allow it.
Massem landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Massem goes for a takedown in the clinch but Alfis prevents it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Massem misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Alfis.
Alfis is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Alfis is pressed up against the cage. Massem has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Alfis down to the mat. Alfis avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Alfis lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Alfis throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Massem staying out of range there.
Massem changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Alfis tries to avoid it but Massem manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Alfis to the ground. Alfis escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Massem chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Alfis can pounce on him.
Alfis lands a nice shot that snaps Massem's head back.
Alfis misses with a jab, cross combination.
Massem closes this distance looking for a takedown but Alfis circles away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Massem.
Some wild striking there from Alfis.
Massem shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Alfis but Alfis pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Horrible takedown by Massem or perhaps it was just good defense by Alfis which made him look bad.
Alfis misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Alfis stuffs the takedown attempt from Massem. Massem gets slowly back to his feet.
Massem misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Alfis.
Nice defenses there by Massem.
Massem shoots for a double leg takedown but Alfis sprawls well. He's pushed Massem's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Massem throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Alfis cracks Massem with a good jab.
Jab by Alfis.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Massem.
Alfis scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alfis throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Massem.
Alf Alfis is winning the standup battle so far.
Alfis throws a solid leg kick but Massem takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Alfis.

Alfis tries to keep at a distance but Massem has taken the fight into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Alfis prevents a takedown attempt there.
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 Alf Alfis 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. This is the final round!

Alfis keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Alfis pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Massem back to the cage. Alfis follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Massem fails with a takedown attempt.
Alfis scores with a decent looking hook.
Alfis jabs Massem right on the nose. Massem blinks but takes it well.
Alfis throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Alfis lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Alfis fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
No luck for Massem with that takedown attempt.
Alf Alfis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Massem.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Alfis scores with a leg kick.
Alfis lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Massem backs up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Massem fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Massem fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Massem has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Alfis looks to land a left hand but Massem moved out of range nicely.
Massem uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Alfis.
Massem has a takedown stuffed.
Alfis works over Massem's head and body with a nice combination.
Massem tries to score a power double leg takedown but Alfis sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Massem somewhat.
Alfis stuffs the takedown.
Massem looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Alfis just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Massem with that takedown attempt.
Massem throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Alfis's waist but Alfis gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Massem off to one side.
Alfis scores with a hook.

Alfis gets tackled into the cage by Massem. Massem maintains the clinch.

Massem jumps guard.
Alfis thows a big elbow that misses.
Massem wants to sweep but no luck.
Alfis throws and elbow that misses. Massem uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Alfis's guard. Nice move by Massem!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Massem wants to control from the top but Alfis keeps moving.
Massem postures up in Alfis's guard and throws a big left but Alfis blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alfis keeping moving, preventing Massem from controlling successfully.
Massem working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Alfis working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Massem doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Massem manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Alfis had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Massem defends it easily.

Alfis has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Massem is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Alfis.
Alfis sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Massem wants to take a breather but Alfis is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Massem thows a huge punch but Alfis dodges it nicely.
Alfis is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Alfis looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Massem is trying to control the action in half guard but Alfis is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Massem might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Alfis kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Massem uses his free foot to push down on Alfis's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Alfis.
Alfis tries to reverse the position but Massem maintains control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Alfis wants to hold on but Massem pushes him away.
Mark Massem has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alfis is desperately trying to improve his position but Massem has a good base and remains in mount.

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 Alf Alfis.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Alfis, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alf Alfis!