PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Xander Cage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Cirkunov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cirkunov has chosen Eye of the Tiger as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Cage
vs
Cirkunov

200 cm
25
211 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

190 cm
26
205 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Sully's Bar & Grill

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Xander Cage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Alex Cirkunov!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Michael Johnstone and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cage tries to land a front kick but Cirkunov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Xander Cage seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cirkunov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cage moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cage throws a hook but Cirkunov blocks it.
Cage throws out a loose jab but Cirkunov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cirkunov loads up on a big right hand but Cage slips the punch.
We've been informed that Cirkunov has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Cirkunov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cirkunov prevents Cage from improving his position.
Cirkunov is controlling the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Let's hope that Cirkunov has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Cage is looking for a sweep. Cirkunov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cirkunov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Cirkunov is looking for a kimura here.

Cirkunov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Cage has managed to free his arm - good work.
Cirkunov prevents Cage from improving his position.
Cirkunov moves nicely into side control.
Cirkunov is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cirkunov throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Cage gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Cage has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cirkunov is working away from the top position though.

Cage looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Still in half guard, Cirkunov seems content to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Cirkunov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Cage trying to control from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Cirkunov ducks under a wild hook from Cage.
Cirkunov with the counter takedown but Cage avoids it easily.
Cage just misses with a punch to the body.
Cage throws a shot from downtown. Cirkunov moves away and avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cage has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Xander Cage has been cut.
Cage throws a nice looking combination but Cirkunov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cirkunov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Cage walks into a jab.
Cage has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Cage there as he acknowledges the shot.
Cirkunov moves out of range as Cage strikes.
Cirkunov lands with a nice combination. Cage backs away looking to recover.

Cage is rocked!
A jab from Cage does it's job there.
Oh Cage is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Cage swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cage misses with a low kick.
Cage seems to have got his legs back now.
Cage takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Cirkunov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Cage on the side of the head.
Cage looks to land a left hand but Cirkunov moved out of range nicely.
Cage throws a series of punches but Cirkunov avoids them all with ease.
A big right from Cage misses.
Cage throws a head kick but Cirkunov moves out of range.
Cirkunov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cage.
Cage drops his hands momentarily and Cirkunov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Cirkunov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Xander Cage's cut.
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.

Cirkunov throws a hook but Cage avoids it easily.
Cirkunov throws an off balance right hand

and Cage counters with a leg kick then a big left hand that sends Cirkunov down! Cage is looking to finish but Cirkunov is intelligently defending himself.

Cage is posturing up here but Cirkunov has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Cage tries to roll out but it's too tight and Cage has to tap! Slick submission there by Cirkunov!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:25 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Alex Cirkunov!
An out of breath Alex Cirkunov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.