PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Iosif Dzugashavili (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Iosif Dzugashavili enters the cage!

Ivanov
vs
Dzugashavili

193 cm
23
265 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

190 cm
26
280 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Kobra Clothing Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Iosif Dzugashavili!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Illya Tyunina and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dzugashavili has his takedown stuffed
and Ivanov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Dzugashavili falls off balance throwing a combination

and Ivanov moves into the clinch.
Ivanov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Dzugashavili fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Dzugashavili misses with a takedown attempt - Ivanov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Dzugashavili lands with a good body shot.

Ivanov clinches up with Dzugashavili and pushes him back against the cage.
Dzugashavili has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ivanov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Alexander Ivanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Iosif Dzugashavili.
Dzugashavili lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Dzugashavili pulls guard successfully.
Ivanov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Ivanov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Ivanov clinches up with Dzugashavili and pushes him back against the cage.
Ivanov connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Iosif Dzugashavili has been cut.
Dzugashavili tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov tries a knee to the head but Dzugashavili blocks it.
Dzugashavili fails to pull guard.

Ivanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dzugashavili gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ivanov counters with a big head kick but Dzugashavili shrugs it off.
Dzugashavili looks gassed!
Dzugashavili rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Ivanov moves into the clinch.
Ivanov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Dzugashavili pulls his leg out and moves away.
Dzugashavili has his takedown stuffed

and Ivanov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ivanov.

Ivanov has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Dzugashavili is trying to keep an underhook but Ivanov manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Ivanov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dzugashavili is trying to control but can't.
Ivanov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Ivanov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Dzugashavili on the ground.
Dzugashavili is looking for a sweep. Ivanov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Ivanov in particular looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Alexander Ivanov wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Dzugashavili 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.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dzugashavili in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Dzugashavili works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Dzugashavili is trying to control. Ivanov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ivanov won't allow Dzugashavili to pass to mount.
Ivanov is trying to get back to full guard.
Ivanov is not content to let Dzugashavili control the position.
Ivanov wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dzugashavili is trying to control. Ivanov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ivanov is looking for a sweep. Dzugashavili is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Dzugashavili wants to pass to mount but Ivanov is defending the position.
Ivanov gets back to full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Dzugashavili's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Dzugashavili advances to half guard.
Dzugashavili passes to side control.
Dzugashavili sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Ivanov is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
An elbow from Dzugashavili crashes against the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Dzugashavili is controlling him well.
Dzugashavili taking a breather here.
Ivanov pushes Dzugashavili away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Dzugashavili gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Dzugashavili throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Dzugashavili trying to control the position but Ivanov is working away.
Ivanov takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Dzugashavili is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The ground and pound from Dzugashavili seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Ivanov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Iosif Dzugashavili's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ivanov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Dzugashavili.
Dzugashavili has his takedown stuffed

and Ivanov counters by moving into the clinch.
Dzugashavili is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ivanov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Alexander Ivanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Iosif Dzugashavili.

Ivanov breaks from the clinch.
Ivanov tries to close the distance and clinch but Dzugashavili swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Dzugashavili looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Ivanov!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Dzugashavili goes for an armbar but Ivanov turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Ivanov.
Dzugashavili wants to sweep but no luck.
Dzugashavili is breathing heavily.
Ivanov passes Dzugashavili's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dzugashavili tries to get to full guard but Ivanov has control of the leg.
Dzugashavili is pressing down on Ivanov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Ivanov stands and steps away. Dzugashavili gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Ivanov tries to clinch there but Dzugashavili circles away.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ivanov.
Ivanov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Ivanov lands the left hand.
Dzugashavili avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Ivanov takes the fight into the clinch.

Ivanov manages to break the clinch.
A low kick from Dzugashavili is predictable there
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Alexander Ivanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Ivanov instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov breaks from the clinch.
Ivanov fails with an attempt to clinch.

Ivanov forces Dzugashavili back against the cage and clinches.

Ivanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sloppy strikes from Dzugashavili. Those never looked like landing.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Ivanov enables Dzugashavili to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Ivanov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ivanov looking for a sweep. Not yet Ivanov, not yet.

Ivanov has his feet on Dzugashavili's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Ivanov closes the distance and clinches.

Ivanov breaks from the clinch.
Dzugashavili misses with a left hand

and Ivanov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ivanov.

Ivanov manages to break the clinch.
Dzugashavili misses with a body punch
and Ivanov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Dzugashavili shoots and misses
and Ivanov counters with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov clinches with his opponent.
Dzugashavili fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Ivanov manages to break the clinch.
Ivanov avoids the body shot from Dzugashavili.
Dzugashavili keeps the fight on the outside.
Ivanov tries to close the distance and clinch but Dzugashavili swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ivanov is looking to clinch but Dzugashavili is avoiding it.
Ivanov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Dzugashavili manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ivanov.

Ivanov moves into the clinch successfully.
Ivanov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Dzugashavili in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Dzugashavili tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ivanov stalling in the clinch.
Ivanov wants a takedown but no success here.
Dzugashavili tries to pull guard but Ivanov holds him up against the cage and eventually Dzugashavili drops back down to his feet.
Ivanov connects with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Ivanov closes the distance and clinches.

Ivanov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dzugashavili throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ivanov's waist but Ivanov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dzugashavili off to one side.
Ivanov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

Ivanov closes the distance and clinches.
Ivanov looking for a takedown.
Dzugashavili tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Dzugashavili wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ivanov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Ivanov lands a knee to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ivanov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dzugashavili pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ivanov wants a takedown but no success here.
Dzugashavili goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ivanov prevents it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ivanov gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Dzugashavili throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Dzugashavili has a closed guard, preventing Ivanov from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Ivanov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Iosif Dzugashavili's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ivanov takes one to the chin there.
Dzugashavili with a poor takedown
and Ivanov counters with a good, hard body kick but Dzugashavili shrugs it off.
Ivanov scores with a push kick.
Ivanov pushes Dzugashavili away with a front kick.
Ivanov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dzugashavili swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Ivanov clinches up against the cage.
Knees to the body from Ivanov.

Ivanov breaks from the clinch.
Dzugashavili misses with a left hand

and Ivanov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Ivanov obliges.

Ivanov works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ivanov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Dzugashavili with a lazy takedown attempt

and Ivanov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Alexander Ivanov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Ivanov landing knees to the head.

Ivanov breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dzugashavili throws a head kick but Ivanov moves out of range.
Ivanov lands with a slapping head kick.
Dzugashavili shoots and misses
and Ivanov counters with a nice body kick.
Alexander Ivanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Iosif Dzugashavili.
A slapping body kick lands there for Ivanov.
Dzugashavili avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dzugashavili fails with the takedown

and Ivanov moves into the clinch.
Dzugashavili has had enough of the clinch but Ivanov keeps him there for the moment.
Ivanov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dzugashavili pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Ivanov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ivanov tries to clinch there but Dzugashavili circles away.
Dzugashavili shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ivanov pinned against the cage. Ivanov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ivanov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Iosif Dzugashavili has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dzugashavili has his takedown stuffed

and Ivanov moves into the clinch.

Ivanov has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Dzugashavili clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Dzugashavili wants to escape the position.
What can Dzugashavili do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Dzugashavili has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Dzugashavili rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Dzugashavili regains full guard. Nicely done.

Ivanov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Ivanov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Dzugashavili shoots in looking for a takedown. Ivanov tries to sprawl out of it but Dzugashavili keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ivanov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ivanov is looking to clinch.
Ivanov tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov wants to clinch up but Dzugashavili keeps it at a distance.
Dzugashavili shoots and misses

and Ivanov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Ivanov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dzugashavili can do to turn this around?

Ivanov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dzugashavili throws a left and a right that both miss

and Ivanov counters by clinching up.
Alexander Ivanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ivanov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Ivanov breaks from the clinch.
Dzugashavili closes the distance and clinches up with Ivanov, looking for a takedown. Dzugashavili pushes Ivanov against the cage but Ivanov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Ivanov has closed the distance and engaged Dzugashavili in a clinch.
Dzugashavili tries to pull guard but Ivanov holds him up against the cage and eventually Dzugashavili drops back down to his feet.
Dzugashavili gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ivanov.

Ivanov breaks the clinch.
Alexander Ivanov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dzugashavili misses with a combination
and Ivanov counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Dzugashavili is lucky that one didn't land flush.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Ivanov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ivanov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27

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