PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matt Alexander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Batuhan Basaran (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Alexander
vs
Basaran

185 cm
18
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Matt Alexander!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Batuhan Basaran!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Basaran tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Basaran gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Alexander breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Alexander enables Basaran to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Alexander manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Alexander had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Basaran defends it easily.
Basaran showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Basaran missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alexander looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexander pulls Basaran in close to his closed guard and prevents Basaran from doing any damage or advancing position.
Basaran seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Basaran tries to free his leg and advance position but Alexander is retaining full guard.
Alexander seems keen to control Basaran's posture.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Basaran closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Alexander quickly recovers to half guard.
Basaran wants to take a breather but Alexander is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Basaran is trying to work for a kimura but Alexander is defending well.
Alexander wants to control but Basaran is keeping busy.

Basaran is looking for a kimura but Alexander is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Basaran to get the leverage.
Alexander wants to get back to full guard.

Basaran is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Basaran seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Alexander does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Basaran is looking to clinch.
A quick step to the side and Alexander tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

Basaran closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Alexander to the mat! Alexander manages to get full guard.
Alexander seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Alexander has his foot on Basaran's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Basaran works his way back into a safe position though.
Alexander controls Basaran momentarily but Basaran frees himself.
Basaran controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alexander is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Basaran is aware though and is defending well.
Basaran wants to control from the top but Alexander keeps moving.
Alexander looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Alexander drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Alexander in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Basaran struggling a bit here.
I wouldn't like to be where Basaran is right now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Batuhan Basaran dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Basaran is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Alexander's half guard.
Basaran misses with a head shot. Alexander uses the momentum to regain guard.
Basaran preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alexander lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Alexander controlling from the top position.
Basaran trying to keep a closed guard but Alexander is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Basaran is looking for a triangle but Alexander pushes his legs off easily.
Basaran striking off his back but it's not causing Alexander any problems.
Alexander with a nice head shot there.
Alexander is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Basaran wants to stand up but Alexander is controlling him.
Alexander controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Basaran is trying to keep Alexander in close.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Alexander misses with a two punch combination.

Basaran shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Alexander manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Basaran gets to his feet - Alexander follows without any prompting.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Basaran.
Batuhan Basaran has got the better of the ground game so far.
Alexander sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Basaran is looking for a kimura here.
Basaran is breathing heavily.

Basaran is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Alexander has managed to free his arm - good work.
Alexander is not content to let Basaran control the position.
Alexander slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Basaran wants to stand but Alexander has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Basaran has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Alexander looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Alexander is trying to keep Basaran in close.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Basaran prevents Alexander from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Batuhan Basaran showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Alexander throws a low kick but Basaran moves out of range easily.

Basaran gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Basaran jumps into guard, dragging Alexander to the mat.
Alexander trying to control but Basaran is working from the bottom.
Basaran looking to control.
Basaran is controlling Alexander's posture.
Basaran working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alexander trying to control but Basaran is working from the bottom.
Basaran is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexander working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Basaran's head.

Alexander got a little sloppy there for a moment and Basaran has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Alexander has managed to get both his arms back between Basaran's legs - danger averted.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Alexander throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Basaran tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Alexander counters with a two punch combo.

Basaran shoots in and bounces Alexander off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Alexander looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexander wants to sweep but no luck.
Alexander is controlling Basaran's posture.
Alexander manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Basaran manages to get himself to full guard.

Alexander wants to control from the top but Basaran keeps moving.
Basaran looking to control.
Alexander slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexander landing with the ground and pound.
Basaran being controlled here, momentarily.
Alexander passes Basaran's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Alexander not doing much here.
Basaran wants to get back to his feet.
Basaran trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Alexander passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Basaran!
Alexander controlling from the full mount.
Basaran takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Basaran tries to hold on but Alexander postures up.
Alexander takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Basaran is looking to improve his position but Alexander isn't that keen on the idea.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Alexander showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Basaran has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Batuhan Basaran!