PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ben Reed (ranked 3108 p4p, 2945 weight class) and Alexey Molotov (ranked 388 p4p, 368 weight class). Molotov is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Eminem - Phenomenal. This should be a great matchup!

Reed
vs
Molotov

200 cm
28
198
8 - 11 - 0

185 cm
25
197
8 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Vegan Gains

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 8 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ben Reed!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Alexey Molotov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Konstantin Menshow and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reed doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Molotov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Reed misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Molotov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Reed swivels and escapes.
Reed getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Reed tries a head kick but it misses.
Reed throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Molotov missing with a left hand there. Reed was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Molotov avoids the head kick by Reed.
Molotov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Reed defends it well.
Reed takes a swing at Molotov's ribcage but misses.
A left lands for Molotov.
Molotov slips under a jab from Reed.
The fighters circling - Reed throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Molotov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Molotov moves out of range as Reed throws a body kick.
Molotov scores with a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A looping hook to the body misses from Molotov. Reed does a little dance to reset his feet.
Reed tries to land a front kick but Molotov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reed steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Molotov.
Molotov slips under a jab from Reed.
Ben Reed seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Molotov moves out of range as Reed strikes.
Reed lands a nice leg kick that just misses Molotov's sensitive parts.
We've been told by Reed's head coaches at Crapollas Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Reed tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Reed scoring well with a low kick there.
A slow jab from Molotov misses its intended target.
Reed misses with a low kick.
Reed walks into a straight right hand from Molotov.
Both fighters circling a little - Molotov finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Molotov throws a shot from downtown. Reed moves away and avoids it.
Ben Reed is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A jab from Molotov does it's job there.
Molotov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Reed moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Reed lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
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!
Reed throws a leg kick
and Molotov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reed throws a front kick aimed at Molotov's knee but Molotov avoids it well.
Reed drops his hands momentarily and Molotov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Crunch! Molotov slams his shin into Reed's torso.
Molotov throws a front kick that sends Reed stumbling back into the cage.
Molotov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Reed manages to avoid it.
Reed misses with a low kick as Molotov jumps back.
Reed uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Molotov.
Nice cross by Reed.
Reed throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Reed throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A nice leg kick lands there from Molotov.
Reed looks to score with a jab to the body but Molotov is just out of range.
Reed ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Molotov cracks Reed with a right hand to the side of the head.
Reed lands the left hand.
Reed really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Reed connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Molotov momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Molotov misses.
Nice cross by Reed.
A slapping body kick lands there for Reed.
Reed bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Molotov's head backwards.
Molotov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Molotov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Molotov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Molotov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Reed is fending him off so far but Molotov persists. Nope, Reed circles away and we're back to standing.
Reed throws a low kick but Molotov avoids it.
Reed throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Molotov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Reed tried to counter with a leg kick but Molotov avoided it.
Molotov tries to score with a low kick but Reed moves his leg out of the way.
A cross from Reed lands.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Molotov blocks a jab.
Molotov with the counter takedown but Reed avoids it easily.
Molotov feints and then cracks Reed's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Reed down.
Reed just misses with a punch to the body.
Molotov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Reed defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reed fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Molotov checks it well.
Reed lands with a straight right. Molotov didn't see that one coming.
Reed looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Molotov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Molotov throws a lazy right hand but Reed sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Reed misses with a body shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Molotov.
Molotov checks a leg kick.
Reed thows a leg kick but Molotov checks it

and Molotov counters with a takedown into side control.
Reed is trying to control Molotov's posture but Molotov avoids it.
Reed is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Reed is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ben Reed 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.

Reed ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Molotov moves away.
Molotov looks to land a body kick but Reed moved away.
Molotov avoids the head kick by Reed.
And Molotov tries to counter it with a takedown but Reed pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Reed tests Molotov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Reed is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
A head kick misses from Reed.
Molotov checks a leg kick.
Reed bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Molotov throws a leg kick that is checked
and Reed counters with a solid body kick.
Reed blocks a leg kick.
Molotov throws a jab when Reed was well out of range.
Reed misses with a looping right.
Molotov throws out a counter right but Reed avoids it with no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Molotov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Reed.
Ben Reed is winning the standup battle so far.
A nice leg kick from Reed, right into the meat of the thigh.
Reed tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Molotov was well out of range. Poor timing from Reed.
Molotov scores with a punch to the head.
A telegraphed right hand from Reed misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Molotov as he connects with a hook.
Molotov moves out of range of the body kick from Reed.
Molotov moves out of range as Reed throws a body kick.
Reed throws a head kick that misses.
Reed lands an overhand right.
Reed misses with a low kick.
Reed blocks a jab.
Reed misses with a looping left.
Reed slips a jab from Molotov.
Molotov wants to slow Reed down by chopping away at his legs.
Reed blocks a jab.
Molotov blocks a low kick nicely.
Reed finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Reed misses with a leg kick.
Nice straight punches there by Reed. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Reed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Reed misses the target.
Molotov feints and then cracks Reed's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Reed down.
Reed misses with a series of wild punches.
Reed throws a lazy right hand but Molotov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Reed listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Molotov looks to land a body kick but Reed moved away.
Molotov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Reed's sensitive parts.
Molotov moves away from the strike by Reed.
Molotov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Reed.
Molotov throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Reed throws a lazy head kick

and Molotov counters with a takedown into side control.
Molotov working the head and body with strikes.
You can see the frustration on Reed's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Molotov landing a few strikes.
Reed sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Molotov prevents Reed from improving his position.
Reed is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Molotov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Molotov's back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Molotov tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Reed controlling from the full mount.
Molotov can't escape the position.
Reed looking to control but Molotov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Reed tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Reed with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reed controlling the position easily from mount.
Molotov tries to lock up and control but Reed gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Reed stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Molotov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Molotov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Molotov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Reed looks to throw the jab but Molotov is out of range.
Reed throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Molotov counters with a nice kick to the body.
Molotov moves out of range as Reed strikes.
Reed feints and then cracks Molotov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Molotov down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Molotov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Reed is out of range and Molotov settles back down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Reed dominated that second round.
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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Reed will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Molotov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Reed.
Reed looks to land a body kick but Molotov moved away.
Donk. Molotov catches Reed right on the button with a cross.
Molotov checks a leg kick.
Molotov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Reed misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Reed misses with a few strikes there.
Molotov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Reed as he avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Molotov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Reed counters with a stiff right hand.
A big left from Reed misses.
Molotov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Molotov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Reed.
Molotov moves out of range of the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Molotov throws a lazy right hand but Reed sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Molotov misses with a straight right.
Reed on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Molotov. Molotov obviously looking to wear him down.
Molotov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Reed counters with a good low kick that Molotov was not able to check.
Reed lands a really nice looking cross but Molotov seems unphased.
Reed throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Molotov on the side of the head.
Molotov throws an overhand right that lands on Reed's shoulder, as Reed tries to avoid the shot.
Reed throws a low kick but Molotov moves out of range easily.
Molotov throws a hook but Reed blocks it.
A little feinted left hand from Reed on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Nice straight punches there by Molotov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Molotov.
Reed pushes Molotov away with a front kick.
Reed throws a lazy body kick

and Molotov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Molotov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Reed is looking to stand up but Molotov isn't so interested in that idea.
Alexey Molotov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reed has Molotov pulled in close to control his posture.
Molotov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Reed has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Reed continues to stall.
Molotov trying to control but Reed is working from the bottom.
Molotov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Reed pulls Molotov in close to prevent any damage.
Molotov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Reed controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Molotov works over Reed with some ground and pound from guard.
Reed is pulling down on Molotov's head. It's preventing any offense from Molotov, at least for the moment.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Molotov working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Molotov wants to control from the top but Reed keeps moving.
Reed controlling the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Molotov fails to land the takedown.
Reed throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Molotov moves out of range as Reed throws a body kick.
Reed takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Molotov looks to land a right hand but Reed moved out of range.
Reed is looking to counter punch.
Reed is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Reed connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A solid leg kick lands there for Molotov.
Reed scores with a nice head shot.
Reed scores with a leg kick.
Molotov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Reed fires out a quick counter leg kick but Molotov just manages to avoid it.
Molotov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Reed.
Molotov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Reed shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Reed bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Molotov's head.
Molotov avoids the head kick by Reed.
Molotov feints the counter takedown.
Molotov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Molotov takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Reed throws a leg kick that misses.
Molotov takes a jab right on the kisser.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Reed showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Reed, 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Reed!