PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Grant Dukes (ranked 1795 p4p, 204 weight class) and Ivan Ivanov (ranked 2099 p4p, 229 weight class). Ivan Ivanov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Dukes
vs
Ivanov

168 cm
22
157 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

170 cm
25
155 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Grant Dukes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Ivanov!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Radbod Blank and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dukes connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ivanov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Dukes.

Dukes is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ivanov's half guard.

Dukes is looking for a kimura but Ivanov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Dukes to get the leverage.
Ivanov told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Ivanov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Dukes. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ivanov trying to hold on to Dukes's head to control him but Dukes postures up.

Dukes is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Dukes is looking to advance position but Ivanov won't allow it.
Dukes wants to take a breather but Ivanov is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ivanov trying to hold on to Dukes's head to control him but Dukes postures up.
Ivanov is doing well to control the position and prevent Dukes from advancing to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ivanov manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Ivanov lands the left hand.
Dukes throws a body shot but no joy.
Ivanov slips a straight right by Dukes.
And Ivanov tries to counter it with a takedown but Dukes pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Ivanov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Dukes lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dukes wants to control from the top but Ivanov keeps moving.
Ivanov has his hands on Dukes's head, controlling the position.
Ivanov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ivanov pulls Dukes in to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dukes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ivanov is keeping the position for now.

Ivanov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Dukes wants to control from the top but Ivanov keeps moving.
Ivanov looking for a sweep. Not yet Ivanov, not yet.

Dukes drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Dukes jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
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!
Ivanov trying to control the position.
Dukes wants to pass the guard but Ivanov is keeping the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Dukes slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov is adopting a defensive guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ivanov can't keep his opponent in guard - Dukes advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Ivanov controlling the position for now.
Ivanov is trying to stand up here but Dukes is controlling him well.
Dukes is taking a breather. Ivanov says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Dukes connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Dukes looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ivanov dives in for a single leg takedown but Dukes sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Dukes makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Dukes.
Dukes looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Ivanov puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Dukes wants to get back to full guard.
Ivanov lands strikes from half guard.
Still in half guard, Ivanov seems content to control.
Ivanov trying to mount his opponent but Dukes defends it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dukes keeping hold of Ivanov's head, controlling as best he can.
Dukes is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ivanov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ivanov's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Grant Dukes will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ivanov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Dukes swivels and escapes.
Ivanov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dukes.
Ivanov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Dukes tries to avoid it but Ivanov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Dukes to the ground. Dukes escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Ivanov gets the takedown into side control.
Dukes is looking to reverse the position.
Dukes is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ivanov off and has taken his back!

Ivanov preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Dukes.

Dukes is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Ivanov has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Ivanov preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Dukes.
Dukes tries to keep control of the position but Ivanov is staying busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ivanov manages to escape to his feet.
Dukes slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Dukes avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dukes scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Ivanov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Dukes's half guard.

Dukes is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ivanov pulls his head out easily.
Dukes trying to hold on to Ivanov's head to control him but Ivanov postures up.
Dukes is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ivanov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ivanov's back!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dukes has the hooks in. Ivanov is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Dukes is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dukes looking for the RNC.

Dukes working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Dukes tries to keep control of the position but Ivanov is staying busy.
Dukes is not going to allow Ivanov to sit and survive in this position.
Ivanov is in bad spot here.
Dukes trying to control momentarily.

Dukes has the hooks in and he's looking for a rear naked choke here. Ivanov is defending well but eventually Dukes manages to get an arm under the chin and he's locked on the RNC! Ivanov has no choice but to tap now! He does! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Grant Dukes!