PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Ovechkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alistair Overeem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Alistair Overeem enters the cage!

Ovechkin
vs
Overeem

197 cm
25
256 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

195 cm
18
235 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alexander Ovechkin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alistair Overeem!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Daniel Blasius and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ovechkin throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Overeem fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ovechkin, pushing him back against the cage.
Overeem connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ovechkin's face.
Overeem missing with knees to the body.
Ovechkin keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Overeem's efforts to push away.
Ovechkin is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Overeem to keep the fight standing.

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

Ovechkin shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Overeem trying to control but Ovechkin postures up.

Overeem kicks off Ovechkin and gets to his feet.

Ovechkin clinches up with Overeem and pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overeem is trying to pull guard but Ovechkin turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Overeem has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ovechkin uses from the top position.

Ovechkin drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ovechkin jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Overeem utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ovechkin prevents Overeem from getting back to his feet.
Overeem trying to keep a closed guard but Ovechkin is proving a slippery customer.
Ovechkin would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Overeem trying to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ovechkin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Overeem has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ovechkin has managed to get both his arms back between Overeem's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Overeem controls Ovechkin momentarily but Ovechkin frees himself.
Ovechkin trying to control but Overeem is working from the bottom.
Ovechkin prevents Overeem from getting back to his feet.
Ovechkin pushes down on Overeem's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Overeem gets back to full guard.
Overeem is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Overeem looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overeem looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ovechkin is one step ahead there.
Ovechkin advances position into side control!
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Ovechkin trying to control the position but Overeem is working away.
Ovechkin has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Overeem!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Overeem tries to get back to half guard but can't.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Overeem can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ovechkin working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Overeem is looking to improve his position but Ovechkin isn't that keen on the idea.
Ovechkin controlling his opponent.
Ovechkin connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Overeem has left one of his arms exposed and Ovechkin doesn't need a second invitation. He's isolated it and locked on a tight armbar. Overeem screams and taps out, obviously in a lot of pain. Hopefully there isn't permanent damage to that arm.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Alexander Ovechkin!