PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Better Dead (ranked 3727 p4p, 370 weight class) and Alex Polyanskiy (ranked 6595 p4p, 512 weight class). Dead kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Death March - Motionless in White. Polyanskiy has chosen Oxxxymiron - Signs of life as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Dead
vs
Polyanskiy

183 cm
39
168 lbs
31 - 40 - 0

169 cm
30
158 lbs
11 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Big right hand

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 40 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Better Dead!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alex Polyanskiy!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Chris Downing and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dead rushes Polyanskiy and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Polyanskiy lands a shoulder strike.
Nice body punch from Polyanskiy - that landed with a thud.

Polyanskiy has clasped his hands together around Dead's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Polyanskiy is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Dead has escaped the position, nice work there.
Dead manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Polyanskiy not doing much here.
Polyanskiy wants to control but Dead is keeping him busy.
Dead wants to improve his position but Polyanskiy is controlling well.
Dead is looking to control Polyanskiy's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Dead avoid being mounted?
Dead is trying to stand back up but Polyanskiy is controlling him
Polyanskiy prevents Dead from improving his position.
Polyanskiy is trying to control the action in half guard but Dead is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Polyanskiy is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Dead sees it coming and defends easily.
Dead is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Rabid Dog that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Dead gets full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Polyanskiy trying to control but Dead is working from the bottom.
Dead wants to get back to his feet but Polyanskiy is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Dead will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Polyanskiy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dead swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Polyanskiy trying to control but Dead is working from the bottom.

Polyanskiy drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Polyanskiy jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Dead trying to keep a closed guard but Polyanskiy is proving a slippery customer.
Polyanskiy seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Polyanskiy trying to control but Dead is working from the bottom.
Dead trying to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Dead tries to clinch there but Polyanskiy circles away.
Dead staying out of range there.

Dead gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Polyanskiy to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dead is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Polyanskiy is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Dead pulls his head out easily.

Polyanskiy actively working from the bottom here.
Dead looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Dead wants to stand up but Polyanskiy has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Dead is thwarting Polyanskiy's attempts to control the position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Dead in particular looking to stall.

Polyanskiy looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dead wants to pass to mount but Polyanskiy is defending the position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Polyanskiy is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Dead pulls his head out easily.
Dead controlling the action here.
Dead is trying to control. Polyanskiy wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Dead tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Polyanskiy.

Polyanskiy looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Dead is pressing down on Polyanskiy's thigh, looking to free his foot. Polyanskiy is holding on for now.

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.
Dead is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Polyanskiy manages to get to full guard.

Polyanskiy looking for a guillotine here but Dead defends easily.

Polyanskiy is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Polyanskiy looking to control.

Polyanskiy looking for a guillotine here but Dead defends easily.
Dead tries to stand but Polyanskiy is controlling from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dead tries to free his leg and advance position but Polyanskiy is retaining full guard.

Polyanskiy looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Dead gets to his feet - Polyanskiy follows without any prompting.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alex Polyanskiy will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Dead is looking to clinch but Polyanskiy is avoiding it.
Dead misses with a low kick.
Polyanskiy scores with a hook to the body. Dead takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Dead throws a right and a left that Polyanskiy avoids nicely.
Dead takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Polyanskiy lands an overhand right.
Dead tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Polyanskiy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Dead takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Polyanskiy checks the leg kick.
Polyanskiy feints the counter takedown.
Better Dead seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Polyanskiy checks the leg kick.
Dead tries to clinch but Polyanskiy moves out of range.
Polyanskiy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Dead moves into the clinch.
Polyanskiy tries to throw a body punch but Dead avoids it by throwing Polyanskiy back against the cage.
Dead blocks an uppercut.
Dead jumps guard but Polyanskiy turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Dead working aggressively here.
A short right from Polyanskiy on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Polyanskiy misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Polyanskiy tries for a takedown but Dead manages to get underhooks.
Nice body punch from Polyanskiy - that landed with a thud.
Dead misses with an elbow over the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dead using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Polyanskiy has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Polyanskiy is trying to drag Dead to the mat but Dead just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Dead prevents a takedown attempt there.
Better Dead has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Polyanskiy.
Polyanskiy is working Dead over against the cage.
Polyanskiy can't find room to land a body shot as Dead controls the action.
Dead throws an elbow but it misses.
Dead has a couple of punches blocked by Polyanskiy.
Polyanskiy is trying to drag Dead to the mat but Dead just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Polyanskiy swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Dead.
Polyanskiy blocks an elbow strike.
A body shot lands from Polyanskiy.
Polyanskiy cracks Dead with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Polyanskiy goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Dead prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Polyanskiy tries to throw a body punch but Dead avoids it by throwing Polyanskiy back against the cage.
Dead creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Polyanskiy blocks an elbow strike from Dead.
A head punch on the inside from Dead fails to land.
Polyanskiy lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Polyanskiy lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Dead is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Polyanskiy tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Polyanskiy is looking for a takedown.
Dead has a couple of punches blocked by Polyanskiy.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Polyanskiy.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Dead breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Polyanskiy checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A jab lands there for Dead.
Polyanskiy misses with a looping right.
Dead tries to grapple but his opponent circles

so Polyanskiy counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Dead kicks Polyanskiy off and gets to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Better Dead is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Polyanskiy connects with a body shot that sends Dead's belly button to the back.
Polyanskiy gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Dead tries to clinch up but Polyanskiy circles away and keeps his distance.
Polyanskiy lands a head shot.
Dead misses with a left hand

so Polyanskiy counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Polyanskiy wants to control from the top but Dead keeps moving.
Dead wants to sweep here but Polyanskiy controlling him for the moment.
Polyanskiy trying to control the position from guard on top but Dead is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Polyanskiy looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Dead looking to hit a scissor sweep but Polyanskiy is one step ahead there.
Dead not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dead wants to stand but Polyanskiy is controlling the position.
Polyanskiy trying to control but Dead is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Dead looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Polyanskiy trying to control but Dead is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Polyanskiy keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dead thows a body kick. Polyanskiy tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Dead loads up on a big right hand but Polyanskiy slips the punch.
Polyanskiy with the counter takedown but Dead avoids it easily.
Dead uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Dead lands a body shot.
Polyanskiy lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alex Polyanskiy will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Dead'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!

Polyanskiy looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Dead!
Dead is trying to improve his position.

Polyanskiy tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Dead tries to improve position but can't.
Dead is working hard here to advance position.

Polyanskiy thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Polyanskiy is trying to get an arm triangle but Dead is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dead tries to improve position but can't.

Polyanskiy is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Dead has escaped the position, nice work there.
Alex Polyanskiy has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dead pushes Polyanskiy away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Polyanskiy gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Polyanskiy tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Polyanskiy is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Dead is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Dead is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Polyanskiy tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Polyanskiy has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Dead gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Dead is defending against the submission attempts here by Polyanskiy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Polyanskiy is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Better Dead has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dead tries to roll over but Polyanskiy keeps him under control.
Dead trying to hold on to Polyanskiy's head to control him but Polyanskiy postures up.
Dead wants to get back to his feet.
Polyanskiy prevents Dead from improving his position.

Polyanskiy is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Polyanskiy wants to lay and pray for a moment but Dead keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dead moves into full guard.
Polyanskiy trying to control the position from guard on top but Dead is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Polyanskiy postures up.

Polyanskiy thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Polyanskiy seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Polyanskiy wants to control from the top but Dead keeps moving.
Polyanskiy prevents Dead from getting back to his feet.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Dead is trying to control the position but Polyanskiy postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Polyanskiy lands with an uppercut that bounces Dead off the cage and back into range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dead. Polyanskiy does a little dance to reset his feet.
Polyanskiy lands a nice shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dead takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Polyanskiy fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Polyanskiy keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Polyanskiy with the counter takedown but Dead avoids it easily.
Polyanskiy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dead misses with an attempted mid kick.
Dead wants to clinch.
Polyanskiy with the counter takedown but Dead avoids it easily.
Alex Polyanskiy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Dead avoids the head kick by Polyanskiy.
The fighters circling - Dead throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Polyanskiy tests Dead's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Polyanskiy scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Polyanskiy fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Dead to the ground. Polyanskiy is now in Dead's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Dead is looking for a triangle but Polyanskiy pushes his legs off easily.
Polyanskiy trying to control but Dead is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Polyanskiy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Polyanskiy has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Polyanskiy!
After winning the bout, Alex Polyanskiy thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
Better Dead spoke after the fight, saying 'I was a little off today...o.k. I'm always a little off.'.