PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stanislav Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ivanov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Muffin man. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Johnson
vs
Ivanov

195 cm
25
185 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

186 cm
22
200 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anthony Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Stanislav Ivanov!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Columbo Gatti and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson shoots in and drives through. Ivanov sprawls well.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Johnson is defended easily by Ivanov.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt

and Johnson counters with a shoot takedown. Ivanov fights it but they end up in guard.
Johnson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Ivanov keeps moving.

Ivanov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Johnson defends it easily.
Johnson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov wants to get back to his feet but Johnson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Ivanov keeps moving.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Ivanov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Anthony Johnson.
Johnson shoots in and drives through. Ivanov sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Ivanov throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Ivanov tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Johnson moves into the clinch.
Ivanov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Johnson blocks it with crossed arms.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Johnson just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ivanov's brow.
Ivanov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Ivanov holds him up against the cage and eventually Johnson drops back down to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Ivanov missing with knees to the body.
Johnson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ivanov smiles and moves away.
Ivanov darts in trying to clinch

and Johnson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Ivanov!
Johnson looking to control and managing it successfully.
Ivanov can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ivanov is looking to escape.
Ivanov is in all sorts of trouble here.
Ivanov wants to hold on but Johnson pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ivanov has managed to clinch.
Johnson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ivanov slowing the pace effectively.
Ivanov avoids the elbow strike from Johnson, against the cage.
Ivanov landing knees to the body.
Ivanov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ivanov tries to land knees in the clinch but Johnson avoids the damage to the body.
Ivanov tries to land knees in the clinch but Johnson avoids the damage to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Ivanov.
Johnson can't get the takedown.
Ivanov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Johnson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ivanov smiles and moves away.
Ivanov is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson tries to clinch up
and Ivanov counters with an inside leg kick.
Johnson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ivanov closes the distance but Johnson moves to the side

and Johnson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Johnson.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ivanov wants to stand but Johnson is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.
Johnson prevents Ivanov from getting back to his feet.

Johnson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ivanov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Johnson has managed to get both his arms back between Ivanov's legs - danger averted.
Johnson won't allow Ivanov to get back to his feet.

Ivanov uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Ivanov has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov missing with knees to the body.
Ivanov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ivanov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Johnson tries a knee to the head but Ivanov blocks it.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Ivanov holds him up against the cage and eventually Johnson drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ivanov is struggling to control the position.
Ivanov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Johnson avoids it.
Ivanov lands an elbow inside that Johnson shrugs off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Johnson managing to block the knees to the body from Ivanov.
Johnson avoids a wild elbow strike from Ivanov.
Ivanov misses with a knee to the head.
Ivanov is trying to maintain a safe position but Johnson gets an underhook and turns Ivanov into the cage.
Johnson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ivanov walks away with a smile on his face. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt
and Johnson counters with a one-two to the body.
Ivanov tries to clinch up

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Johnson dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnson tries to clinch

and Ivanov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ivanov.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Johnson avoiding damage as Ivanov throws knees to the body.
Ivanov missing with knees to the body.
Ivanov tries a knee to the head but Johnson blocks it.
Ivanov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ivanov misses with a knee to the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Ivanov holds him up against the cage and eventually Johnson drops back down to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ivanov missing with knees to the body.
Ivanov trying to land knees to the body.
Ivanov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ivanov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson wants a takedown but no success here.
Johnson looking to throw knees to the head but Ivanov is blocking nicely.
Come on Ivanov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Ivanov missing with knees to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Ivanov tries to land knees in the clinch but Johnson avoids the damage to the body.
Ivanov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ivanov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Johnson is defending well for now.

Johnson manages to pull guard.
Ivanov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Johnson controls Ivanov momentarily but Ivanov frees himself.
Ivanov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ivanov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Johnson is trying to control the position but Ivanov postures up.
Ivanov postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Danga de danga de dang - Ivanov scores with a four punch combination!
Ivanov tries a head kick but it misses.
Ivanov doesn't manage to clinch there - Johnson circles away.
Crunch! Ivanov slams his shin into Johnson's torso.
Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.
Ivanov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ivanov tries to clinch

and Johnson counters by clinching up.
The referee calls for Ivanov to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov tries to land knees in the clinch but Johnson avoids the damage to the body.
Ivanov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Johnson avoiding damage as Ivanov throws knees to the body.
Ivanov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Johnson avoids it.
Ivanov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Johnson avoids it.
Stanislav Ivanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ivanov leaning his opponent against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stanislav Ivanov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Johnson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Johnson!