Welcome to Inside Fights’ live coverage of Devon Alexander vs Andreas Kotelnik. The fight takes place in St. Louis, MO and is accompanied by an undercard bout of Tavoris Cloud vs. Glen Johnson. Refresh the page for the latest updates. The action gets underway at 10 pm ET tonight.
Time for the intros. Here we go.
Tavoris Cloud vs. Glen Johnson
Referee: Steve Smoger
Round 1
It doesn’t take long for these guys to start slugging. The punch output is being dominated by Cloud. Johnson is covering up and blocking most of the shots. Johnson weathers the storm but Cloud takes it with activity.
Cloud 10-9
Round 2
Cloud starts off well but gets caught with a right from Glencoffe and pretty much goes into a shell for the rest of the round. Johnson goes to work and Cloud is just not fighting back. Johnson is owning this round and connecting on good shots. Not many combos, but one shot at a time accuracy.
Johnson 10-9
Round 3
Johnson is working hard again but Cloud is back in the fight. Johnson is efficient with his punches, as always, and the younger Cloud is certainly being tested tonight.
Johnson 10-9
Round 4
Little clinching and little footwork between these two. They are fighting forehead-to-forehead and landing short shots to each other. Cloud is doing a better job this round of landing shots and getting inside to the body of Johnson.
Cloud 10-9
Round 5
The round starts off slow but picks up late as Cloud hurts Johnson with a left hook as his back was against the ropes. Johnson spent the last minute in survival mode and made it to the bell. Johnson was staggered again with about 20 seconds remaining.
Cloud 10-9
Round 6
Cloud starts strong, trying to finish Johnson. Johnson covers up and is taking a lot of strong bombs from Cloud. Johnson fights back and Cloud has run out of gas. Johnson is now in control and Cloud isn’t fighting back yet. A tale of two rounds and a close one to call.
Johnson 10-9
Round 7
After a couple of tough rounds, the 7th is fought at a slower pace. The activity rate is dictated by Cloud, as Johnson is always efficiently active. Johnson is alternating weak jabs to the body with more powerful hooks upstairs. Cloud is all power shots.
Cloud 10-9
Round 8
Johnson comes out workmanlike again but Cloud explodes halfway through. Johnson is covering up while Cloud bombs away, getting one in that backs Johnson away.
Cloud 10-9
Round 9
Cloud seems to be loading up for a big shot, but in the meantime, Johnson is peppering Cloud with jabs and staying busy. Cloud never unleashes his power so perhaps he was just taking the round off. Johnson wins this one easy because Cloud did little.
Johnson 10-9
Round 10
Very good round with lots of back-and-forth action. Johnson is working the jab and one-two combos while Cloud is landing the bigger punches. Cloud is cut over his left eye. It’s a nice one aside the eyebrow. Johnson takes a close one.
Johnson 10-9
Round 11
Johnson and Cloud are both slowing down. But the activity rate is still good. Cloud is landing the bigger and better shots.
Cloud 10-9
Round 12
Cloud fights with a better intensity in the final round and Johnson still plods away. Cloud is passing the test in terms of showing poise in the championship rounds against an opponent that won’t go away. Cloud carries this round with clean effective punches.
Cloud 10-9
Inside Fights has it: 115-113 Cloud
All three judges have it: 116-112 for the winner by unanimous decision: Tavoris Cloud
Odd moment in the post-fight interview as both men turn it into a debate over the judges’ scorecards. Johnson felt that he won the fight and was robbed by the judges. Both guys then dissect the fight and their cases in an absolutely candid discussion rarely seen after a fight.
Devon Alexander vs. Anderas Kotelnik
Referee: Vic Draculich
Round 1
Alexander is way faster. Kotelnik is slow and throws one punch at a time behind his guard. Alexander isn’t running as Kotelnik believed. He’s standing in front of Kotelnik and showing his quickness in his hand speed and side to side movement.
Alex 10-9
Round 2
More of the same as Kotelnik appears to be outclassed in this one. Alexander is smooth and hitting his groove early as he already appears to be in a good rhythm. Alexander is having his way early.
Alex 10-9
Round 3
Kotelnik has a better showing this round as he backs Alexander up with an overhand right. Alexander is still controling the round but Kotelnik is stepping it up. And that is a good thing.
Alex 10-9
Round 4
Alexander has a small cut over his right eye but it won’t be effecting his vision. Kotelnik hasn’t slowed Alexander down yet but he is proving to be a formidable challenger. Alexander is landing good combos but Kotelnik’s confidence appears to be growing.
Alex 10-9
Round 5
Alexander is showing he can take a punch. Kotelnik is showing he is a good fighter that most people probably won’t want to fight now. Alexander is leading but he is closing the gap.
Alex 10-9
Round 6
The gap has turned into Kotelnik’s favor. Kotelnik is beating Alexander to the punch. No clinches. Fighting at a distance. Alexander is getting bested by Kotelnik this round.
Kotelnik 10-9
Round 7
Alexander is coming out more aggressive this round but Kotelnik isn’t going away. By Alexander picking up the pace, he took the momentum back and won this round. I’m impressed with Kotelnik and his poise in this fight.
Alex 10-9
Round 8
Great action in this round. Back and forth action with Kotelnik getting the better of Alexander at the end of the round. Kotelnik lands a flush straight right in the final ten seconds and Alexander takes it well.
Kotelnik 10-9
Round 9
The ref stops the fight to have the doctor check on Alexander’s cut. It’s flowing nice but it is staying out of his eye so there is no danger of the fight stopping. Kotelnik lands some nice shots and it appears that Alexander is slowing a bit. Alexander had a busy round but it was close.
Alexander 10-9
Round 10
This is turning into a war. Not expected but certainly appreciated. Alexander is having to dig deep and Kotelnik is forcing him to do so with his hard body shots. The body shots are taking a toll as Alexander is visibly worn down.
Kotelnik 10-9
Round 11
Kotelnik isn’t a quick guy but he uses his gloves well to block and cover up. The blood from Alexander is really showing down the right side of his face. Kotelnik is getting off first but Alexander answers. Alexander looks better this round.
Alexander 10-9
Round 12
Kotelnik is fighting like a man that wants to win. Alexander is fighting like a man that thinks he’s already won. Great finish and a great round for Kotelnik.
Kotelnik 10-9
Inside Fights has it 116-112 Alexander
Official cards: 116-112 for winner by unanimous decision Devon Alexander
Thank you for joining us for our live coverage tonight on Inside Fights. And don’t forget to check out our live coverage of UFC 117 right here at Inside Fights.
