PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Razval Saraev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Stubb (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexander Stubb will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Saraev
vs
Stubb

171 cm
31
171 lbs
19 - 6 - 0

189 cm
31
179 lbs
21 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)
Highland Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Razval Saraev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Alexander Stubb!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Donald Grub and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stubb swings for the body but Saraev moves out of range.
Stubb misses with a straight right.
Stubb throws a looping overhand right but Saraev ducks down to avoid it.
Stubb's coach down at ~T~ Troid - Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Stubb's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Saraev.
Stubb is not content to let Saraev control the position.
Stubb dodges the ground and pound from Saraev.
The strikes coming from Saraev are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Saraev has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saraev working the strikes but Stubb uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Saraev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Stubb blocking the ground and pound attempt from Saraev.
Stubb is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Saraev scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saraev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stubb's head.
Stubb is looking to escape.
Stubb is looking to get back to full guard here but Saraev has managed to pass to side control instead.
Saraev working away.
Saraev lands a decent elbow from side control.
Saraev controlling from side mount.
Saraev throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Stubb is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Saraev tries to score with some ground and pound. Stubb controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stubb regains half guard.
Saraev keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Stubb tries to kick Saraev off but Saraev keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Saraev landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Stubb wants to improve his position but Saraev is controlling well.
Saraev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Stubb has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Saraev is working away from the top position though.
Saraev wants to take a breather but Stubb is having none of it.
Stubb avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Saraev.
Stubb is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Saraev scores with a couple of nice shots.
Stubb is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stubb keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Saraev passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Stubb!
Stubb is desperately trying to improve his position but Saraev has a good base and remains in mount.
Saraev working the ground and pound effectively.
Stubb wants to control but Saraev is having none of it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Stubb is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Saraev is staying active.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stubb is in a horrible position here. Saraev smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Saraev lands a big shot there that rocks Stubb but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Stubb wants to control but Saraev is having none of it.
Saraev lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Saraev controlling the position easily from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stubb is wriggling around trying to escape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saraev scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saraev avoids the attempt from Stubb to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Razval Saraev dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Stubb with a jab.
Stubb swings for the body but Saraev moves out of range.
Saraev shoots in but Stubb avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Stubb throws the left hand but Saraev avoids the punch easily.
Saraev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stubb can do to turn this around?
Stubb misses the shot to the body.
Stubb lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Saraev throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Stubb was covering up waiting for the punch and Saraev finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Stubb has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Saraev has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Saraev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Stubb smiles and moves away.
Saraev blocks a jab.
Saraev is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Stubb.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stubb throws a hook to the side of Saraev's head but Saraev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Saraev is looking to counter the offense by Stubb and move into the clinch.
Stubb misses with a wild body shot.
Saraev wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stubb throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stubb throws a hook but Saraev avoids it easily.
Stubb just misses with a punch to the body.
Saraev shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Saraev darts in looking for a takedown but Stubb gets double underhooks and turns Saraev into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Razval Saraev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice cross by Stubb.

Stubb lands a big right hand that sends Saraev crashing to the mat! Stubb stays standing though and waves Saraev back to his feet!

Saraev is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saraev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stubb pinned against the cage. Stubb gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Oh Saraev is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Stubb throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Stubb lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Saraev circles away quickly and effectively.
Saraev seems to have got his legs back now.
Jab by Stubb.
Stubb lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Saraev at a distance.
Stubb scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Stubb cracks Saraev with an open hand slap.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stubb lands with a cross.
Stubb falls off balance throwing a combination

and Saraev counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Saraev.

Saraev manages to pull guard.
Stubb is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Stubb stopping the sweep attempt from Saraev.
Stubb is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Saraev wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Stubb trying to control but Saraev is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stubb looking to pass the guard.
Saraev wants to sweep here but Stubb controlling him for the moment.
Stubb wants to control from the top but Saraev keeps moving.
Stubb has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Saraev is proving hard to escape from.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Saraev is pulling down on Stubb's head to control his posture.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A telegraphed right hand from Stubb misses the target.

Saraev throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Stubb tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Saraev is in Stubb's guard.
Stubb is trying to keep Saraev in close.
Saraev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stubb keeping moving, preventing Saraev from controlling successfully.
Saraev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stubb works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Saraev looking to pass the guard.
Stubb utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Stubb showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Saraev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Stubb thows a left - swing and a miss!
Saraev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A big right from Stubb misses.
Alexander Stubb seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stubb misses with a hook

and Saraev holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Stubb will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Saraev up against the cage.
Stubb is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Saraev is keeping busy.
Stubb scores with a shoulder strike.
Saraev is looking for a takedown.
Saraev tries to throw a body punch but Stubb avoids it by throwing Saraev back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stubb looking to stall.
Stubb misses with a punch on the inside.
Stubb doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stubb has Saraev pushed against the cage.
Stubb swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stubb throws a head punch that misses.
Saraev is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Stubb gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Saraev is working for takedown but Stubb is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Razval Saraev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stubb scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Stubb swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stubb stalling.
Stubb scores with a nice hook to the head.
Stubb softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Stubb pressing his opponent against the cage.

Stubb escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Saraev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Stubb scores with a nice right hand.
Stubb misses with a jab to the body

and Saraev counters by moving into the clinch.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saraev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stubb as he jumps to the side.
Saraev takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
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!
Saraev shoots in looking for a takedown but Stubb manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Saraev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Saraev gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Stubb throws a jab when Saraev was well out of range.
Saraev seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Stubb cracks Saraev with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Stubb has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Saraev to stand back up!
Saraev misses with an uppercut
and Stubb counters with a big right hand! Oh Saraev is in trouble here! Stubb follows up with more strikes and that's it! The ref has stopped it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:38 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Alexander Stubb!
Alexander Stubb thanked the fans post fight for their support.