PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Justin Kennedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dimitrios Vasilii Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kennedy
vs
Vasilii Ivanov

180 cm
21
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
18
219 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Justin Kennedy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dimitrios Vasilii Ivanov!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Hirohito Nitta and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ivanov throws a low kick but Kennedy moves out of range easily.
Ivanov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kennedy shoots in and drives through. Ivanov sprawls well.
Ivanov throws a right and a left that Kennedy avoids nicely.
Kennedy walks into a stiff left hand from Ivanov.
Ivanov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kennedy with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Ivanov to score with a decent uppercut.

Kennedy 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.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Kennedy gets to his feet. Ivanov looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Kennedy is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ivanov.
Kennedy takes one on the button.

Kennedy gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ivanov has Kennedy pressed against the cage, preventing Kennedy from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ivanov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Ivanov stalling in the clinch but Kennedy improves position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Ivanov to keep the fight standing.
Ivanov misses with a knee strike.
Kennedy wants to break free but Ivanov has control.
Ivanov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Ivanov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ivanov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Kennedy presses Ivanov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Ivanov is trying to break free.
Ivanov missing with knees to the body.
Ivanov tries a knee to the head but Kennedy blocks it.
Come on Kennedy - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Ivanov pushes off an throws an elbow but Kennedy leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy managing to block the knees to the body from Ivanov.
Kennedy blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ivanov missing with knees to the body.
Ivanov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kennedy stalling the fight.
Ivanov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ivanov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ivanov keeps control of Kennedy as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kennedy avoids a wild elbow strike from Ivanov.
Ivanov trying to land knees to the body.
Ivanov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Kennedy jumps into guard, dragging Ivanov to the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kennedy keeping moving, preventing Ivanov from controlling successfully.
Ivanov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Kennedy kicks Ivanov off and gets to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kennedy wants to clinch.
Kennedy takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ivanov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kennedy was well out of range. Poor timing from Ivanov.
Nice uppercut there from Ivanov.
Nice takedown defense from Ivanov. No joy for Kennedy on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Justin Kennedy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A punch lands to the side of Kennedy 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Ivanov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kennedy has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ivanov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Ivanov clinches with his opponent.
Ivanov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov trying to land knees to the body.
Kennedy blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kennedy is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ivanov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ivanov leaning against his opponent.
Ivanov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kennedy - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Kennedy tries to land knees in the clinch but Ivanov avoids the damage to the body.
Ivanov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Kennedy has Ivanov pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Kennedy pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Ivanov tumbling to the mat - Kennedy dives into Ivanov's guard.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kennedy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ivanov is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dimitrios Vasilii Ivanov will probably get the nod.
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 scores with a jab to the head.

Kennedy looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Ivanov!
Kennedy misses with a head shot.
Kennedy takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Kennedy is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Ivanov has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Kennedy unloads with some shots from mount but Ivanov bucks and avoids them well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy controlling the pace for now.

Kennedy is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Ivanov to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Ivanov shrugs it off.
Kennedy controlling his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poor strikes thrown by Kennedy there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Ivanov taking shots to the head.

Kennedy working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Kennedy sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy avoids the attempt from Ivanov to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kennedy takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Kennedy throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Kennedy dominated that second round.
That's time! Kennedy's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Ivanov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Ivanov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kennedy moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ivanov connects with a right hand. Kennedy shakes it off.
Kennedy shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ivanov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kennedys jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ivanov throws a body kick that misses.
Ivanov cracks Kennedy with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ivanov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ivanov keeps the fight on the outside.
Kennedy looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Ivanov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kennedy looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kennedy drops his hands momentarily and Ivanov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kennedy shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
No luck for Kennedy with that takedown attempt.
Kennedy on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kennedy takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ivanov misses with a two punch combination.
Ivanov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ivanov scores with a jab. Kennedy acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Dimitrios Vasilii Ivanov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ivanov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kennedys jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ivanov lands a lovely overhand right.
No luck for Kennedy with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Justin Kennedy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kennedy misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ivanov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kennedy moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ivanov leaves Kennedy with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ivanov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kennedy on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov lands a nice shot that snaps Kennedy's head back.
Ivanov scores with a nice strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kennedy 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 Kennedy off to one side.
Ivanov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ivanov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A punch lands to the side of Kennedy 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Ivanov scores with a jab to the head.
Kennedy takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kennedy shoots in and drives through. Ivanov sprawls well.
Ivanov connects with a high kick.
Ivanov lands the left hand.
Kennedy takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Dimitrios Vasilii Ivanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab from Ivanov finds it's way through Kennedy's defenses.
Ivanov lands with a hook. Kennedy tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kennedy walks into a stiff left hand from Ivanov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy dodges the punch combination from Ivanov.
Ivanov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kennedy takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Ivanov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Ivanov cracks Kennedy with a good jab.
Ivanov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kennedy blocks a head kick by Ivanov.
Ivanov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Dimitrios Vasilii Ivanov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ivanov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Ivanov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kennedy shoots in and drives through. Ivanov sprawls well.
Ivanov with a hook.

Ivanov closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ivanov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kennedy blocks it with crossed arms.
Ivanov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Ivanov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ivanov lands a glancing blow to the side of Kennedy's head.
Ivanov throws a series of punches but Kennedy moves out of range.
Ivanov scores with a shot to the body.
Ivanov misses with a double jab.
Ivanov cracks a nice hook into Kennedy's ribs.
A head kick by Kennedy misses
and Kennedy takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ivanov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ivanov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A jab lands there for Ivanov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dimitrios Vasilii Ivanov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ivanov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:29

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