PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jarod Kirkland (ranked 24725 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Alexsej (ranked 6139 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kirkland
vs
Alexsej

174 cm
18
177 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

180 cm
19
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Can Moonwalk

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 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jarod Kirkland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Michael Alexsej!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alexsej falls off balance throwing a combination

and Kirkland counters with a takedown into side control.
Kirkland misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Alexsej trying to control but Kirkland flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Kirkland throwing sloppy strikes.
Kirkland has the hooks in. Alexsej is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Alexsej just trying to survive but Kirkland is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Alexsej fending off the submission attempt from Kirkland.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alexsej tries to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexsej just trying to survive but Kirkland is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Alexsej is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Kirkland doesn't have the hooks in and Alexsej manages to turn into his guard.

Kirkland is working an open guard so Alexsej takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Alexsej tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Alexsej shoots for a double leg takedown but Kirkland sprawls well. He's pushed Alexsej's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kirkland misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kirkland.
Alexsej wants to get back to his feet but Kirkland is dominant here and he's now got Alexsej's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kirkland lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Kirkland scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Kirkland lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Alexsej grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Alexsej rolls, trying to escape but Kirkland keeps control of the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Kirkland controlling the positon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Kirkland.
Kirkland controls the position.
Kirkland seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Alexsej for as long as he can get away with.
Kirkland gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Kirkland has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Alexsej's body.
Alexsej covers up after that shot from Kirkland.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Alexsej up.
Kirkland biding his time, controlling Alexsej.

Alexsej showing good submission defense here.
Kirkland tries to get the hooks in deep but Alexsej pushed the leg off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jarod Kirkland dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Alexsej tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Kirkland counters with a takedown into side control.
Alexsej is looking to get back to his feet here but Kirkland is keeping cool and he's managed to take Alexsej's back.
Alexsej tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Kirkland looking to control but Alexsej is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kirkland is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Alexsej can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kirkland landing punches.
Kirkland looking to finish Alexsej with some ground and pound. This is bad for Alexsej!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alexsej tries to hold on but Kirkland pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirkland raining down shots from the mount!
Kirkland lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Kirkland is landing with some decent strikes but Alexsej is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Jarod Kirkland overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kirkland landing strikes from the mount and Alexsej is in trouble!

Kirkland with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Alexsej is looking to get to half guard.
Kirkland tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland landing strikes, looking to finish!
Kirkland lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Alexsej hang on?
Alexsej is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Kirkland lands a nice shot to the head.
Alexsej tries to lock up and control but Kirkland gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Alexsej is breathing heavily.
BOOM! Kirkland connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kirkland looking to control and managing it successfully.
Kirkland working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

Kirkland working for a guillotine from mount but Alexsej is in no mood to give up.

Kirkland is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Alexsej has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Kirkland looking to finish Alexsej with some ground and pound. This is bad for Alexsej!
Kirkland with good strikes from the mount here!
Kirkland trying to control but Alexsej is having none of it.
BOOM! Kirkland connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland moves to the back position.
I would not like to be Alexsej right now.
Kirkland's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Kirkland has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jarod Kirkland dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kirkland is trying hard to land a takedown here. Alexsej sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kirkland shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Alexsej but Alexsej pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Alexsej looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kirkland is fending him off so far but Alexsej persists. Nope, Kirkland circles away and we're back to standing.
Kirkland feinted with a counter takedown.

Alexsej clinches up with Kirkland and pushes him back against the cage.
Alexsej wants a takedown but no success here.

Kirkland pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Alexsej gets a clinch.

Kirkland escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kirkland fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Alexsej avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jarod Kirkland. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexsej displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kirkland.
Alexsej wants to clinch but Kirkland slips to the side

and Kirkland counters with a single leg into guard. Alexsej didn't expect that.
Alexsej is looking to stand back up but Kirkland counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Alexsej.

Alexsej makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kirkland is defended easily by Alexsej.
Alexsej unleashes a big counter combination but Kirkland bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alexsej fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kirkland sprawls well initially but Alexsej persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Alexsej takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kirkland gets back to full guard.
Alexsej postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Alexsej is fighting to break Kirkland's control of his arms but Kirkland is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Kirkland tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Alexsej manages to get himself to full guard.

Kirkland scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Alexsej is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kirkland engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Kirkland 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.
Kirkland scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kirkland lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alexsej is looking for a triangle here but Kirkland uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Kirkland lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Alexsej is being controlled here.
Kirkland lands a few punches from side control.
Kirkland is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Alexsej can do to turn this around?
Kirkland working the head with strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
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.
Alexsej taking a bit of punishment here - Kirkland scoring with strikes.
Michael Alexsej has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jarod Kirkland is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A lull in the action here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jarod Kirkland.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kirkland, 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jarod Kirkland!