PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Alexander (ranked 651 p4p, 545 weight class) and Pavel Kostov (ranked 94 p4p, 74 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Pavel Kostov was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Alexander
vs
Kostov

185 cm
30
186
14 - 7 - 1

185 cm
29
190
13 - 8 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Conviction

NARCOS
Shadow Realm Apparel

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 14 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Marcus Alexander!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pavel Kostov!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alexander defending well as Kostov loads up on a big left hand.
Kostov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kostov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Alexander moves away.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kostov. That's going to slow Alexander down.
Alexander misses with an uppercut. Kostov saw that one coming.
Kostov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kostov misses with a kick to the body.
Kostov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kostov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kostov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Pavel Kostov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kostov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Alexander tries to counter by clinching up but Kostov breaks away and moves out of range.
Alexander misses with a kick to the body
and Kostov counters with a nice uppercut.
Alexander has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kostov finds it's way round the side to connect with Alexander's head.
Kostov steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Alexander. That one must have hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kostov throws a body punch but Alexander moves out of range.
Kostov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Alexander scores with a jab. Kostov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kostov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Alexander.
Alexander thinks about countering with a body kick.
Alexander looks to throw the jab but Kostov is out of range.
Alexander uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kostov.
Alexander throws a looping overhand right but Kostov ducks down to avoid it.
Kostov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Alexander has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Alexander lands an overhand right.
Kostov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Alexander uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kostov.
An attempted straight right counter from Alexander misses the target.
Alexander on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kostov. Kostov obviously looking to wear him down.
Alexander throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kostov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Alexander counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Alexander throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kostov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kostov tries to clinch up but Alexander circles away and keeps his distance.
And Alexander counters with a quick kick to the body but Kostov blocks it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Alexander lands with a cross.
Kostov misses the body punch
and Alexander counters with a nice body kick.
Alexander misses with a left hand
and Kostov counters with a stiff right hand.
Alexander gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Alexander throws the kick towards the body but Kostov avoids it.
Kostov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kostov misses with an uppercut

and Alexander holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kostov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kostov lands a body shot.
Alexander has a couple of punches blocked by Kostov.
Kostov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Alexander backwards.
Nice body punch from Kostov - that landed with a thud.
Kostov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Alexander's elbow.
Alexander working aggressively here.
Alexander lands a hook to the side of the head.
Alexander throws a head punch that misses.
Kostov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kostov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kostov tries to work over Alexander's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Alexander lands with a right to the head.
Kostov taking a breather.
Kostov takes a shot to the head.
Kostov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kostov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kostov tries to work over Alexander's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Alexander blocking some punches.
Alexander working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Alexander struggles to land a body shot inside as Kostov controls his hands.
Kostov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Kostov blocks a body shot from Alexander.
Kostov looking to stall.
Kostov wants to stall.
Kostov swings wildly with an uppercut but Alexander uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kostov lands with a right to the head.
Kostov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Alexander misses with a short punch on the inside.
Alexander misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Marcus Alexander will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Alexander moves out of range as Kostov strikes.
Alexander slips a jab from Kostov.
Alexander jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Alexander moves out of range of the strikes.
Kostov scores with a decent looking hook.
Kostov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kostov misses with a kick to the body
and Alexander counters with a stiff right hand.
Alexander blocks a jab.
Kostov throws a body shot but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alexander misses with an uppercut. Kostov saw that one coming.
Pavel Kostov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A cross from Kostov lands.
Alexander turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kostov. Alexander does a little dance to reset his feet.
Alexander throws a quick counter kick to the body but Kostov avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
That kick from Kostov tenderised Alexander's leg. Alexander is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kostov wants to clinch.
Alexander swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Alexander.
Kostov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A low kick from Kostov misses
and Alexander counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kostov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Alexander in his tracks.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kostov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Alexander lands a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexander presses Kostov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Alexander makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kostov prevents a body shot from Alexander.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Alexander misses with the head strike.
Kostov has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Alexander seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Kostov can turn it around.
Alexander tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Alexander lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kostov backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Alexander blocking some punches.
Alexander tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kostov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Alexander backwards.
Kostov tries to stall but Alexander uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kostov tries a body shot but Alexander blocks it.
A hook to the body from Kostov.
Marcus Alexander has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kostov scores with a shot to the side of Alexander's head.
Alexander misses with a punch to the body.
Alexander lands a left hand.
Alexander has a couple of punches blocked by Kostov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kostov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kostov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Alexander prevents a body shot from Kostov.
Alexander misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kostov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kostov blocking some punches.
Kostov misses with the head strike.
Kostov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Alexander misses with the head strike.
Alexander softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kostov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Alexander misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Alexander throws a punch but it's blocked by Kostov.
Kostov blocks an uppercut.
Kostov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kostov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A shot in the inside from Alexander.
Kostov scores with a nice hook to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Alexander lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kostov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Alexander goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Alexander swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kostov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kostov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Alexander doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kostov is trying to stall.
Alexander lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kostov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kostov blocks an uppercut.
Alexander misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Alexander fails to land.
Alexander blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Alexander swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Alexander lands a right hand.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alexander.
Kostov throws a punch but it's blocked by Alexander.
Alexander goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Marcus Alexander will probably get the nod.
That's time! Alexander's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kostov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Alexander.
Kostov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Alexander cracks a nice hook into Kostov's ribs.
Kostov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Alexander uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kostov.
Alexander stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kostov misses the body punch
and Alexander counters with a stiff right hand.
Alexander moves away from the strike by Kostov.
Alexander throwing a counter right hand but Kostov manages to avoid it.
Alexander ducks right into an uppercut from Kostov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kostov tests Alexander's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kostov lands a jab to Alexander's midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kostov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Alexander.
Alexander moves away from the strike by Kostov.
As Kostov tries to get set, Alexander tries to push him back and clinch up but Kostov manages to avoid the attempt.
Kostov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Alexander looks for the body kick but Kostov saw that one coming.
A telegraphed right hand from Kostov misses the target.
Alexander checks a leg kick nicely.
Alexander uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kostov.
Kostov throws a jab but it's blocked by Alexander.
Kostov connects with an inside leg kick.
Kostov misses with a lunging right hand
and Alexander counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kostov misses with a body shot.
Alexander appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Pavel Kostov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Kostov.
Kostov throws a body kick that misses.
Alexander moves away from the strike by Kostov.
Alexander tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kostov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Kostov misses.
Kostov wants to clinch but Alexander slips to the side
and Alexander connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kostov takes a swing at Alexander's ribcage but misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Alexander bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Kostov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Alexander misses with an uppercut
and Kostov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kostov defending well as Alexander loads up on a big left hand.
Kostov misses with an uppercut. Alexander saw that one coming.
Kostov with a nice cross.
Kostov misses with a kick to the body
and Kostov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kostov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kostov misses with a low kick as Alexander jumps back.
It looked like Alexander wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Alexander digs a good body shot into Kostov's ribs.
Kostov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kostov throws a leg kick
letting Alexander counter with a right hand.
Kostov throws a leg kick that is checked
and Alexander counters with a nice leg kick.
Kostov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexander throws a lazy body kick
and Kostov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Alexander thinking.
Alexander throws a body shot but no joy.
Kostov just misses with a punch to the body.
Alexander on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
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!
Kostov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kostov jabs at Alexander's body.
Kostov throws a head kick but Alexander moves out of range.
Kostov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Alexander throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kostov looks to land a left hand but Alexander moved out of range nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Pavel Kostov.
I think Alexander 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Marcus Alexander!
During a confident post fight interview, Marcus Alexander thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.