PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Petrov (ranked 5192 p4p, 24206 weight class) and Cosmo Houston (ranked 552 p4p, 666 weight class). The key to victory for Alexander Petrov has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Petrov
vs
Houston

188 cm
19
210
0 - 0 - 1

189 cm
25
216
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Petrov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Cosmo Houston!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Russell Pearce and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Petrov staying out of range there.
Houston throws a series of punches but Petrov avoids them all with ease.
Houston lands a jab-cross combination.
Petrov swinging wildly here.
Houston misses with a jab, cross combination.
Houston tries to clinch but Petrov is having none of it.
A punch combination from Houston misses.
Houston throws a right and a left that both miss.
Houston stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Petrov.
Houston throws a nice looking combination but Petrov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Houston throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Petrov.
Houston misses with a double jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Houston's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Petrov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Houston scrambles back to his feet.

Houston drives through and clinches with Petrov against the cage.
Petrov working aggressively here.
Petrov can't find room to land a body shot as Houston controls the action.
Petrov throws a head punch that misses.
Petrov working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Houston.
Houston blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Petrov leaning against his opponent.
Petrov prevents Houston from breaking the clinch.
Petrov throws a head punch that misses.
Petrov throws a punch but it's blocked by Houston.
Petrov has Houston pressed against the cage, preventing Houston from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Houston wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Petrov scores with a shot to the side of Houston's head.
Petrov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right from Petrov on the inside.
Petrov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Petrov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Houston is keeping busy.
Houston managing to block the knees to the body from Petrov.
Houston lands with a short shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrov has a couple of punches blocked by Houston.
Petrov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Houston backwards.
Petrov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Houston is defending well for now.
Houston pushes Petrov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Petrov throws a punch but it's blocked by Houston.
A right hook to the body lands for Petrov.
Petrov lands a right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A shot in the inside from Petrov.
Houston blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Petrov has a couple of punches blocked by Houston.
Petrov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Petrov tries to throw a body punch but Houston avoids it by throwing Petrov back against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Petrov.
Houston on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Petrov misses with the head strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrov struggles to land a body shot inside as Houston controls his hands.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Houston.
Houston blocks an uppercut.
Houston lands a hook to the side of the head.
Petrov scores with a shot to the side of Houston's head.
Houston blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Petrov.
Petrov misses with a punch to the body.
Petrov misses with a body punch.
Petrov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Petrov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Houston blocks an uppercut.
Petrov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Houston is defending well for now.
Houston is trying to break the clinch but Petrov has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Houston is looking to break free of the clinch but Petrov has double underhooks.
Petrov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Petrov throws a punch but it's blocked by Houston.
Petrov misses with a punch on the inside.
Houston blocks an uppercut.
Houston wants to break free but Petrov has control.
Petrov misses with a body punch.
Houston throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A short left from Petrov.
Houston trying to land knees to the body.
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!
Petrov lands a body shot.
Houston blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Petrov.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Houston.
Petrov controlling the action here for a moment.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Houston dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Houston swinging wildly here.
Houston lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Petrov circles away quickly and effectively.
Houston throws a right hand that Petrov ducks under and follows up with a left that Petrov also avoids with ease.
Petrov slips a straight right by Houston.
Petrov throws a body punch but Houston moves out of range.
As Petrov backs off Houston throws a huge counter combo but Petrov manages to avoid it all.
Houston fails to land with a series of punches.
Houston throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Petrov.
Petrov misses with an uppercut. Houston saw that one coming.
Houston tries to bum rush Petrov with a series of wild strikes but Petrov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Houston throws a right hand that Petrov ducks under and follows up with a left that Petrov also avoids with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Petrov misses its intended target.
Petrov connects with a looping right hand.
Houston slips a jab from Petrov.
Houston misses with a double jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Petrov lands with an overhand left.
Petrov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrov tries to clinch but Houston moves out of range.
Petrov misses the shot to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. Petrov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Houston lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Houston.
Petrov slips a jab and a cross from Houston.
Petrov throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Houston.
Houston misses with a double jab.
Houston throws a lazy right hand but Petrov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Petrov misses with a left hand
enabling Houston to counter with a crisp jab.
Cosmo Houston seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Petrov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Houston slips under a jab.
Houston moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
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!
Houston keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Houston displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Houston swings for the body but Petrov moves out of range.
Petrov swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Houston tries to bum rush Petrov with a series of wild strikes but Petrov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrov misses with a low kick.
Houston misses with a left hand
enabling Petrov to counter with a crisp jab.
Houston throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Petrov has managed to clinch.
Houston fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Petrov stalling in the clinch but Houston improves position.
Houston misses with a punch on the inside.
Alexander Petrov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Petrov has a couple of punches blocked by Houston.

Houston escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Petrov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Houston.

Petrov drives through and clinches with Houston against the cage.
Petrov swings wildly with an uppercut but Houston uses good head movement to avoid it.
Petrov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Houston is trying to force a seperation but Petrov has the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrov is trying to maintain a safe position but Houston gets an underhook and turns Petrov into the cage.
Houston is looking to break free of the clinch but Petrov has double underhooks.
Houston is trying to break the clinch but Petrov is controlling him.
Petrov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Houston.
A short right from Petrov.
Petrov trying to stall but Houston improves his position.
Petrov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Petrov misses with the head strike.
Petrov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Houston is looking to break free of the clinch but Petrov has double underhooks.
Petrov gets through Houston's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Petrov swings wildly with an uppercut but Houston uses good head movement to avoid it.

Houston pulls guard.
Petrov won't allow Houston to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Houston uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Petrov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Petrov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A chopping leg kick lands by Petrov.
Petrov lands a head kick. Houston smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Houston misses with a series of wild punches.
Petrov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Houston throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A little feinted left hand from Petrov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Houston moves out of range of the strikes.
Despite the aggression on Houston's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Houston throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cosmo Houston is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A nice combination there by Petrov.
Houston tries to clinch up.
Houston takes a swing at Petrov's ribcage but misses.
Petrov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Houston throws out the jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cosmo Houston 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!

Houston tries to close the distance and clinch up but Petrov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Petrov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Houston. That did some damage!
Petrov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Houston's head.
Petrov dodges the punch combination from Houston.
Houston throws a right and a left that both miss.
Petrov dips to his left and cracks Houston with an uppercut!
A shot to the liver by Petrov. Beautiful body shot.
Houston throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Petrov.
Nice jab there from Petrov.
Petrov swats away the attempt to clinch by Houston.
Houston avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Houston fails to land with a series of punches.
Houston misses with a jab, cross combination.

Petrov has closed the distance and engaged Houston in a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Petrov misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Petrov lands a nice uppercut.
Petrov throws a punch but it's blocked by Houston.
Petrov misses with the head strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Houston as Petrov tries to tie him up.
Petrov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Petrov misses with a punch to the body.
Houston wants to get back to striking at distance but Petrov won't allow it.
Houston tries to break the clinch but Petrov is controlling the position.
Petrov prevents Houston from breaking the clinch.
Petrov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Petrov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Petrov is looking to control Houston's arms but Houston gets an underhook and turns him. Now Petrov has his back to the cage.
Petrov misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A shot in the inside from Petrov.
Petrov looking to slow down the pace here.
Petrov throws a punch but it's blocked by Houston.
Houston on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Petrov throws a head punch that misses.
Petrov throws a head punch that misses.
Petrov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Petrov misses with some punches.
Petrov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Good body shot from Houston.
Petrov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Houston.
Petrov has Houston pushed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Petrov misses with a short punch on the inside.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Petrov for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Houston works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Houston lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Houston tries to break free but Petrov pushes him back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Houston.
Petrov is struggling to control the position.
Petrov misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Petrov swings wildly with an uppercut but Houston uses good head movement to avoid it.
Petrov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Houston can't break the clinch.
Petrov stalling in the clinch but Houston improves position.
Petrov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Petrov stalling.
Petrov has a couple of punches blocked by Houston.
Petrov working aggressively here.
Petrov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Houston avoiding damage as Petrov throws knees to the body.
Petrov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Houston wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Petrov has him pressed against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Petrov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Petrov 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Petrov!