PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Andrea Alvarado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bryn Sotiropoulos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Alvarado
vs
Sotiropoulos

159 cm
23
194 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

170 cm
25
185 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Solid 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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Andrea Alvarado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bryn Sotiropoulos!
The judges for this bout are Topper Green, Steve Erwin and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sotiropoulos throws a sloppy head kick and Alvarado moves out of range easily.
It looked like Alvarado was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Sotiropoulos.

Sotiropoulos drives through and clinches with Alvarado against the cage.

Sotiropoulos escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Sotiropoulos closes the distance and pushes Alvarado back into the cage.
Alvarado is trying to push Sotiropoulos away but Sotiropoulos has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Alvarado wants to break the clinch but can't.
Alvarado wants to break the clinch but can't.

Alvarado pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Sotiropoulos fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Alvarado sprawls well initially but Sotiropoulos persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Alvarado might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Alvarado taking some punishment here, with Sotiropoulos in his half guard.
Alvarado tries to kick Sotiropoulos off but Sotiropoulos keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Sotiropoulos gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Sotiropoulos bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Alvarado tries to escape but Sotiropoulos is in control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarado wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.

Sotiropoulos decides to stand back up. Sotiropoulos steps back and let's Alvarado get back to his feet.
Alvarado really is a fat lump.

Sotiropoulos tries to keep at a distance but Alvarado has taken the fight into the clinch.
Alvarado wants to get back to striking at distance but Sotiropoulos won't allow it.
Alvarado is trying to break the clinch but Sotiropoulos is controlling him.

Sotiropoulos works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Alvarado is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Sotiropoulos has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sotiropoulos throwing strikes from guard but Alvarado blocks nicely.
Alvarado is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Alvarado looking for a sweep. Not yet Alvarado, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alvarado pushes Sotiropoulos off and gets back to his feet.

Sotiropoulos drives through and clinches with Alvarado against the cage.
Alvarado wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Alvarado's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Sotiropoulos shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Alvarado is trying to defend but Sotiropoulos finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
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!

Sotiropoulos is looking for a kimura but Alvarado is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sotiropoulos to get the leverage.
Alvarado wants to get back to his feet.
Sotiropoulos throwing shots but Alvarado is blocking nicely.
Sotiropoulos thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarado wants to control but Sotiropoulos is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Sotiropoulos missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sotiropoulos wants to lay and pray for a moment but Alvarado keeps working.
Sotiropoulos looks winded!
Alvarado is pressing down on Sotiropoulos's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Alvarado is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Alvarado wants to stand and escape but Sotiropoulos is having none of it.
Sotiropoulos trying to control but Alvarado is working from the bottom.
Alvarado pulls Sotiropoulos in to control the position.
Alvarado preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's four 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.
Alvarado avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

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

Alvarado moves into the clinch successfully.

Alvarado manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Sotiropoulos told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Sotiropoulos is looking to stand up but Alvarado won't let him.
Alvarado controlling the position.
Alvarado keeping full guard, as Sotiropoulos tries to pass.
Alvarado managing to control the position.
Sotiropoulos is looking to work some ground and pound but Alvarado has wrist control.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bryn Sotiropoulos dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sotiropoulos looks to land a combination but Alvarado avoids it well.
Alvarado is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Sotiropoulos lands with a thumping leg kick.

Sotiropoulos instigates a clinch.
Alvarado is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Alvarado has Sotiropoulos pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Alvarado pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Sotiropoulos tumbling to the mat - Alvarado dives into Sotiropoulos's guard.
Alvarado throwing strikes but missing.
Alvarado throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alvarado postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sotiropoulos pulls Alvarado in close to his closed guard and prevents Alvarado from doing any damage or advancing position.
Sotiropoulos working a defensive guard here.
Bryn Sotiropoulos has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarado sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Alvarado makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Alvarado stands up over Sotiropoulos, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Sotiropoulos wants to stand up but Alvarado is controlling him.
Sotiropoulos working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Alvarado.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Sotiropoulos can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Alvarado controls the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sotiropoulos misses with a wild body shot.
A leg kick checked by Alvarado.
Sotiropoulos throws a head kick that Alvarado semi-blocks.

It looks like Andrea Alvarado has been cut.

Sotiropoulos shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Sotiropoulos is breathing heavily.

Alvarado uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Sotiropoulos throws a sloppy head kick
and Alvarado counters with a one-two to the body.
Sotiropoulos takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Sotiropoulos throws a lazy head kick
and Alvarado counters with a three punch combo that has Sotiropoulos backing up. Sotiropoulos nods at Alvarado to acknowledge the strikes.

Sotiropoulos darts in and clinches Alvarado up against the cage.
Alvarado has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sotiropoulos avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Alvarado taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarado working Sotiropoulos over with knees to the body.

Alvarado breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sotiropoulos falls off balance throwing a combination
and Alvarado connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Alvarado clinches up against the cage.

Alvarado escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Alvarado gets a clinch.

Alvarado breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Alvarado avoids the head kick by Sotiropoulos.

Alvarado rushes Sotiropoulos and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Alvarado pulls guard successfully.
Alvarado is pulling down on Sotiropoulos's head. It's preventing any offense from Sotiropoulos, at least for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarado tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sotiropoulos would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Alvarado wants to sweep here but Sotiropoulos controlling him for the moment.
Alvarado is striking but Sotiropoulos is not phased and passes to half guard.
Alvarado moves into full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sotiropoulos postures up in Alvarado's guard and throws a big left but Alvarado blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrea Alvarado dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Andrea Alvarado's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sotiropoulos has closed the distance and engaged Alvarado in a clinch.
Alvarado can't break the clinch.

Alvarado breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Alvarado has taken the fight to the clinch.
Alvarado slowing the pace effectively.
Alvarado has Sotiropoulos pushed against the cage.

Alvarado's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sotiropoulos throws a head kick that misses.
Alvarado tried to counter with a leg kick but Sotiropoulos avoided it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sotiropoulos throws a sloppy head kick and Alvarado moves out of range easily.
Alvarado is looking to counter with a body kick.

Sotiropoulos clinches up with Alvarado and pushes him back against the cage.
Alvarado wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sotiropoulos has him pressed against the cage.

Alvarado lands a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sotiropoulos being controlled here, momentarily.
Sotiropoulos controls Alvarado momentarily but Alvarado frees himself.
Alvarado lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Sotiropoulos working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Alvarado doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Alvarado manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sotiropoulos takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Alvarado keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sotiropoulos's head.
Sotiropoulos looking to hit a scissor sweep but Alvarado is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Alvarado gets to his feet. Sotiropoulos looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Sotiropoulos gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Alvarado is trying to break the clinch but Sotiropoulos has him pressed against the cage.
Alvarado is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Sotiropoulos to keep the fight standing.

Sotiropoulos ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Sotiropoulos no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Alvarado has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Alvarado showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Sotiropoulos avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Alvarado working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarado controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Alvarado lands a couple of elbows.
Sotiropoulos looking to control.
Sotiropoulos is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Alvarado controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sotiropoulos throws a leg kick that is checked
and Alvarado counters with a three punch combo that has Sotiropoulos backing up. Sotiropoulos nods at Alvarado to acknowledge the strikes.

Alvarado manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Sotiropoulos on his heels. He'll look to pass Sotiropoulos's guard now, I'm sure.
Alvarado chips away with some ground and pound.
Alvarado 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.
Sotiropoulos has a closed guard, preventing Alvarado from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarado is in close to Sotiropoulos's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sotiropoulos is trying to control the position but Alvarado postures up.
Sotiropoulos can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Alvarado controls the pace.
Alvarado is working Sotiropoulos over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Alvarado content to stall in guard here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alvarado throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrea Alvarado showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Alvarado 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 Topper Green scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrea Alvarado!