PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Ivanovik (ranked 2932 p4p, 4862 weight class) and Zander Lancaster (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexander Ivanovik could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Zander Lancaster's chin.

Ivanovik
vs
Lancaster

170 cm
24
166
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
21
170
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Ivanovik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Zander Lancaster!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Igor Prikhodko and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lancaster fails with the takedown

and Ivanovik counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Ivanovik successfully pulls guard.
Lancaster wanted to stand there but Ivanovik had control of the position.

Ivanovik escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lancaster gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Lancaster wants to stand but Ivanovik has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lancaster gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanovik lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Ivanovik closes the distance and pushes Lancaster back into the cage.

Ivanovik manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Lancaster postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lancaster stands up and waves to Ivanovik to follow him.
Lancaster misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ivanovik lands a high kick!
Lancaster tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ivanovik swivels and escapes.
Ivanovik seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Ivanovik paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
No joy there for Lancaster, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lancaster misses with a double jab

and Ivanovik holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ivanovik stops a takedown attempt from Lancaster.
Alexander Ivanovik has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zander Lancaster.

Ivanovik pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lancaster throws a series of punches but Ivanovik avoids them all with ease.
Lancaster throws a series of punches but Ivanovik avoids them all with ease.
Lancaster slaps away a takedown attempt from Ivanovik, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ivanovik's waist but Ivanovik gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lancaster off to one side.
Lancaster will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Lancaster fails to land the takedown.
Lancaster looks winded!

Ivanovik gets a clinch.

Ivanovik escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Ivanovik bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ivanovik fails to land a wild elbow strike.

Ivanovik decides to stand back up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ivanovik or perhaps it was just good defense by Lancaster, which made it look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ivanovik gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Lancaster has a couple of punches blocked by Ivanovik.
Ivanovik prevents a takedown attempt there.
Lancaster is trying to break the clinch but Ivanovik has him pressed against the cage.
Lancaster is trying to force a seperation but Ivanovik has the dominant position.
Lancaster is looking to break free of the clinch but Ivanovik has double underhooks.
Ivanovik prevents the takedown attempt.
Lancaster drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ivanovik gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Lancaster has a couple of punches blocked by Ivanovik.
Lancaster goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ivanovik prevents it.
Ivanovik avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ivanovik manages to break the clinch.
Ivanovik swats away the attempt to clinch by Lancaster.
Lancaster gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ivanovik counters with a head kick. That will keep Lancaster thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Lancaster swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lancaster fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
An attempted straight right counter from Ivanovik misses the target.
Lancaster tries for a takedown but Ivanovik circles away easily

and Ivanovik counters by clinching up.

Ivanovik drags the fight down to the ground.
Ivanovik looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ivanovik looking to control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lancaster shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ivanovik defends it nicely.
As Lancaster looks to move away, Ivanovik throws a big counter combo but Lancaster just gets out of the way.
Alexander Ivanovik is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lancaster shoots and misses
enabling Ivanovik to counter with a crisp jab.
Ivanovik is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lancaster can do to turn this around?

Ivanovik throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Lancaster tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Ivanovik is in Lancaster's guard.
Lancaster keeping moving, preventing Ivanovik from controlling successfully.

Ivanovik gets to his feet. Lancaster looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lancaster is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Ivanovik closes the distance and clinches.

Ivanovik pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ivanovik lands a head kick. Lancaster smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lancaster has his takedown stuffed

and Ivanovik moves into the clinch.
Alexander Ivanovik has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zander Lancaster.

Ivanovik lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Lancaster has one foot on Ivanovik's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Lancaster tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ivanovik defends well and Lancaster ends up having to push Ivanovik into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Ivanovik goes for a double leg but Lancaster avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Lancaster continues to drive forward.
Ivanovik tries for a takedown but Lancaster manages to get underhooks.
Ivanovik is looking to control Lancaster's arms but Lancaster gets an underhook and turns him. Now Ivanovik has his back to the cage.
Lancaster has Ivanovik pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ivanovik manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ivanovik looking to stall.
Lancaster can't get the takedown.
Lancaster tries for a takedown. No joy.

Ivanovik jumps guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ivanovik is working an open guard so Lancaster takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ivanovik avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lancaster shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ivanovik as he jumps to the side.

Ivanovik has managed to clinch.

Lancaster pulls Ivanovik into guard.
Ivanovik trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Lancaster manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Lancaster gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Lancaster shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ivanovik defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster misses with a few strikes there.
Ivanovik half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ivanovik looks to land a combination. Lancaster sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Lancaster fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Lancaster fails with the takedown

and Ivanovik counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ivanovik.
Ivanovik will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Lancaster up against the cage.
Lancaster tries to pull guard but Ivanovik won't allow it.
Lancaster looking for a takedown.

Ivanovik turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Lancaster tries to escape but Ivanovik is in control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanovik tries to move to full mount but Lancaster actually manages to regain half guard.

Lancaster kicks off Ivanovik and gets to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lancaster throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ivanovik.
Lancaster swinging wildly here.
Ivanovik wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Lancaster tries to clinch up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lancaster.

Ivanovik shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Lancaster napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Ivanovik goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Lancaster has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Ivanovik but great work by Lancaster.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alexander Ivanovik will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Lancaster shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ivanovik sprawls well. Ivanovik wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lancaster gets slowly back to his feet.
Lancaster misses with a takedown attempt

and Ivanovik moves into the clinch.

Ivanovik decides to pull guard.
Ivanovik working a defensive guard here.
Ivanovik trying to strike off his back.
Ivanovik wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ivanovik is trying to keep Lancaster in close.

Lancaster decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Ivanovik, up you get!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanovik fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Lancaster tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ivanovik paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ivanovik throws a big counter combination but Lancaster scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Lancaster throws a nice looking combination but Ivanovik bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Lancaster rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ivanovik moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lancaster misses with a takedown attempt - Ivanovik sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Alexander Ivanovik has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zander Lancaster.

Ivanovik shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Lancaster makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster fails to land the takedown.
Lancaster has his takedown stuffed

and Ivanovik counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ivanovik's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Ivanovik pulls guard.
Lancaster stops Ivanovik from standing up.
Ivanovik is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Lancaster stands up from Ivanovik's guard - Lancaster perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster fails to land with a series of punches.
Lancaster dives in for a single leg takedown but Ivanovik sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Alexander Ivanovik is winning the standup battle so far.
Ivanovik fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Lancaster avoids it really well and circles away.
Lancaster will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Lancaster shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ivanovik as he jumps to the side.
Ivanovik works over Lancaster's head and body with a nice combination.
No luck for Lancaster with that takedown attempt.

Ivanovik drives through with a takedown into Lancaster's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Lancaster has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Ivanovik off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lancaster lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ivanovik circles away quickly and effectively.
Ivanovik is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Ivanovik lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Ivanovik.
Ivanovik keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Lancaster changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ivanovik tries to avoid it but Lancaster manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ivanovik to the ground. Ivanovik escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ivanovik shoots for a takedown but Lancaster saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Despite the aggression on Lancaster's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Lancaster looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Lancaster throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ivanovik.
Lancaster doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Ivanovik holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Zander Lancaster has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alexander Ivanovik is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lancaster changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ivanovik fights it off and pushes away nicely.

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 Alexander Ivanovik.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ivanovik, 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:28
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Ivanovik!