PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Ivanov (ranked 3336 p4p, 3917 weight class) and Pascal Letaivu (ranked 307 p4p, 363 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Ivanov
vs
Letaivu

170 cm
28
155
10 - 12 - 0

170 cm
37
148
24 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Vegan Gains

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 10 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pascal Letaivu!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Albert Achterberg and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Letaivu lands a jab to Ivanov's midsection.
Ivanov misses with a body shot.
Letaivu looks to land a left hand but Ivanov moved out of range nicely.
Ivanov is looking to counter punch.
Letaivu connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Letaivu scores with a punch to the head.
The fighters circling - Ivanov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Letaivu scores with a sloppy right hand. Ivanov should have avoided that one.

Ivanov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ivanov showed some decent athleticism there.
Letaivu has his hands clasped together around Ivanov's back. He's all about the action.
Letaivu avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ivanov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ivanov is keen to just control but Letaivu is a slippery customer.
Letaivu desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Letaivu trying to control from the bottom.
Letaivu is staying active underneath Ivanov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ivanov thows a huge punch but Letaivu dodges it nicely.
Ivanov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Letaivu is trying is best to control the position here.
Ivanov throwing shots but Letaivu is blocking nicely.
Ivanov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Ivanov decides to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ivanov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Letaivu swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Letaivu cracks Ivanov with an open hand slap.
Ivan Ivanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Letaivu lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Letaivu throws a big shot that misses.
Ivanov tries to clinch but Letaivu is having none of it.
Letaivu throws a hook to the side of Ivanov's head but Ivanov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ivanov wants to clinch.
Ivanov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Letaivu.
Letaivu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Letaivu misses with a head kick.
Letaivu changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ivanov has his takedown stuffed
and Letaivu connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov with a hook.
Ivanov tries to clinch up
and Ivanov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ivanov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A little jabbing left from Letaivu on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ivanov fails with the takedown
and Letaivu counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ivanov moves away from the strike by Letaivu.
Ivanov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Letaivu wants to counter the offense by Ivanov and move into the clinch position.

Letaivu closes the distance and clinches.
Letaivu lands a body shot in the clinch.
Ivanov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Ivanov goes for a takedown attempt but Letaivu pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ivanov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ivanov avoids the body shot from Letaivu.
Ivanov looks to clinch
and Letaivu connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Letaivu looks to score with a jab to the body but Ivanov is just out of range.
Letaivu takes a swing at Ivanov's ribcage but misses.
Letaivu ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Letaivu connects with a body shot.
Letaivu throws out a powerful jab.
Letaivu connects with a nice looking jab.
Letaivu lands a lovely overhand right.
Letaivu scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ivanov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Letaivu swivels and escapes.
Sloppy strikes from Ivanov. Those never looked like landing.
A big left from Ivanov misses.
Ivanov tries to clinch but Letaivu moves out of range.
Letaivu fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ivanov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Letaivu moves into the clinch.
Letaivu lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ivanov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Letaivu pulls him back up using the underhooks.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Ivanov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Letaivu is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pascal Letaivu dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ivanov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Letaivu has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Ivanov is on him like a limpet, forcing Letaivu back against the cage.
Letaivu tries to work over Ivanov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short uppercut from Letaivu.
Ivanov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Letaivu lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ivanov backwards.
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 is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Letaivu gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Letaivu lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Letaivu pushes Ivanov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Letaivu lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ivanov backwards.
Ivanov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Letaivu.
Letaivu lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Letaivu throws a punch but it's blocked by Ivanov.
Ivanov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Letaivu pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A short right from Letaivu.
Letaivu has Ivanov pressed against the cage, preventing Ivanov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Letaivu scores with a hook to the body.
Ivanov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Letaivu pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ivanov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Letaivu can pounce on him.
Ivanov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ivanov wants to clinch but Letaivu slips to the side
and Letaivu counters with a nice uppercut.
Letaivu's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ivanov under the eye.
Letaivu throws a body punch but Ivanov moves out of range.
Ivanov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Letaivu now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

Ivanov closes the distance and clinches.
Letaivu misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ivanov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Letaivu fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Letaivu with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ivanov moves in looking to clinch but Letaivu pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov lands a head shot.

Ivanov moves into the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Letaivu.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Letaivu lands with a right to the head.
Ivanov wants a takedown but no success here.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Letaivu creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Letaivu lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A body shot lands from Letaivu.
Ivanov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Letaivu is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Letaivu lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Letaivu has Ivanov pressed against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Letaivu.
Letaivu struggles to land a body shot inside as Ivanov controls his hands.
Letaivu working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Letaivu cracks Ivanov with a nice body shot.
Good body shot from Letaivu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov is working for takedown but Letaivu is calmly controlling the position for now.
Letaivu has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Letaivu lands with a left to the head.
Letaivu lands a shoulder strike.
Ivanov wants a takedown.
Still in the clinch, Letaivu scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ivanov wants a takedown but no success here.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Letaivu lands a body shot in the clinch.
Ivanov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Letaivu avoids it.
Letaivu misses with a punch to the body.
Letaivu lands a right hand.
Ivanov is trying to break the clinch but Letaivu is controlling him.
Ivanov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Letaivu fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Letaivu lands a nice hook to Ivanov's body. Ivanov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ivan Ivanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov clobbers Letaivu with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ivanov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Letaivu throws out the jab.
Letaivu punishes Ivanov's body with a nice straight punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Letaivu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ivanov manages to avoid it.
Letaivu scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Ivanov throws a right hand that misses
and Letaivu counters with a slapping leg kick.

Letaivu darts in and clinches Ivanov up against the cage.
Ivanov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Letaivu gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Letaivu lands a body punch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Letaivu.
Ivanov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Letaivu throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ivanov can't get the takedown.
Ivanov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Letaivu pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Letaivu softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pascal Letaivu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Letaivu scores with a nice head shot.
Ivanov tries to clinch up but Letaivu circles away and keeps his distance.
Letaivu doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Ivanov tries to clinch
and Letaivu counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Letaivu on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ivanov missing with a left hand there. Letaivu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Letaivu thumps Ivanov with a low kick.
Ivanov looks to clinch
and Letaivu counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Letaivu's corner calls for a 1-2. Letaivu obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Ivanov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Letaivu sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ivanov darts in trying to clinch
and Letaivu counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ivanov wants to clinch
and Letaivu counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ivanov goes for a double leg but Letaivu avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Letaivu continues to drive forward.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Letaivu.
Letaivu holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Letaivu.
Ivanov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Letaivu pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice jab there from Letaivu.
Pascal Letaivu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ivanov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Letaivu to score with a decent uppercut.
Letaivu moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Pascal Letaivu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ivanov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Letaivu fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Letaivu jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Nice uppercut there from Letaivu.

Ivanov is rocked!
Letaivu scores with a hook to the body. Ivanov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ivanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ivanov doesn't manage to clinch there - Letaivu circles away.
Letaivu slips under a jab from Ivanov.
Ivanov loads up on a big right hand but Letaivu slips the punch.
Ivanov shoots in but Letaivu avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ivanov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Letaivu with a jab.
Oh Ivanov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A big right followed by a crushing left from Letaivu knocks Ivanov out cold! Ouch - that one's going to be featured in highlight reels for years to come!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:38 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Pascal Letaivu!
Pascal Letaivu took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.