PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tom Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergei Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jones comes to the cage accompanied by what's new pussycat. Ivanov has chosen HINO RUSSO as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Jones
vs
Ivanov

185 cm
30
183 lbs
18 - 9 - 1

180 cm
31
182 lbs
19 - 10 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tom Jones!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sergei Ivanov!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Paulo Santos and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ivanov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Jones rushes Ivanov and presses him up against the cage.
Ivanov blocks the elbow strike.
Jones throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jones.
Ivanov dodges an elbow strike from Jones.
Jones misses with the head strike.
Ivanov lands with a right to the head.
Ivanov can't find room to land a body shot as Jones controls the action.
Ivanov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ivanov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A left hand lands to the body for Ivanov.

Ivanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ivanov misses with a double jab.
Jones scores with a nice strike.
Ivanov swats away the attempt to clinch by Jones.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Jones has Ivanov up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones lands a damaging elbow.
Ivanov trying to stall but Jones improves his position.
Jones creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ivanov misses with a punch to the body.
A hook to the body from Ivanov.
Ivanov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Jones dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Ivanov pressing his opponent against the cage.
Jones misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ivanov misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Ivanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ivanov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jones tries to clinch there but Ivanov circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jones looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jones avoids a punch combination nicely.
Jones slips under a jab from Ivanov.

Jones clinches.
Ivanov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A frustrated look appears on Ivanov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Jones comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Sergei Ivanov has been cut.
Jones avoiding damage as Ivanov throws knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Ivanov - that landed with a thud.
Jones has a couple of punches blocked by Ivanov.

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

Ivanov closes the distance and pushes Jones back into the cage.
Ivanov has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. So far he's outscoring his opponent in the clinch so it seems to have been worthwhile.
Jones prevents Ivanov from breaking the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones stalling against the cage.

Ivanov breaks from the clinch.
Ivanov thows a body shot but no joy.

Ivanov rushes Jones and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A short left from Jones.
Ivanov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ivanov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jones.
A short right from Jones on the inside.
Jones throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Ivanov struggles to land a body shot inside as Jones controls his hands.
A short body shot lands from Jones as the two fighters clinch.
Ivanov struggles to land a body shot inside as Jones controls his hands.
Ivanov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ivanov misses with a punch to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ivanov tries to land knees in the clinch but Jones avoids the damage to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov lands a body shot.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ivanov.
Ivanov is trying to break the clinch but Jones has him pressed against the cage.
Ivanov letting Jones take a breather here.
Jones misses with some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ivanov.
Jones fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ivanov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ivanov struggles to land a body shot inside as Jones controls his hands.
The referee calls for Ivanov to work.
Jones holding his opponent close, against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ivanov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Jones's elbow.
Ivanov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergei Ivanov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sergei Ivanov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ivanov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Jones darts in trying to clinch
and Ivanov counters with a good, hard body kick but Jones shrugs it off.
Ivanov looks for the body kick but Jones saw that one coming.
Ivanov misses with a low kick.
Jones moves out of range as Ivanov strikes.

Ivanov closes the distance and pushes Jones back into the cage.
Jones controlling the action here for a moment.
Jones lands with a light punch inside.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Jones takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Ivanov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ivanov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Ivanov misses with the head strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Jones just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ivanov's brow.
Jones lands a damaging elbow.
Jones lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Jones lands a nice knee to the body.
Ivanov can't find room to land a body shot as Jones controls the action.

Ivanov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jones tries to clinch there but Ivanov circles away.
Ivanov throws a leg kick that misses.
Ivanov's corner calls for a 1-2. Ivanov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Jones works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ivanov moves forwards but Jones connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ivanov moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones tries to clinch but Ivanov is having none of it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Ivanov closes the distance and clinches.
Ivanov dodges an elbow strike from Jones.
Jones is struggling to control the position.
Jones lands a right hand.
Jones wants to stall.
Jones throws a head punch that misses.
Ivanov is trying to force a seperation but Jones has the dominant position.
Jones lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ivanov backwards.
Jones's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ivanov tries to circle away but Jones has him pinned against the cage.
Jones misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ivanov wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones trying to land knees to the body.
Jones tries to land knees in the clinch but Ivanov avoids the damage to the body.
Sergei Ivanov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Jones working aggressively here.
Ivanov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Ivanov breaks the clinch.

Ivanov darts in and clinches Jones up against the cage.
Ivanov can't break the clinch.
Jones makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ivanov cracks Jones with a nice body shot.
Jones prevents Ivanov from breaking the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Jones.
The referee is keeping an eye on Jones - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Jones blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ivanov is trying to push Jones away but Jones has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Jones lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Jones working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones lands a nice uppercut.
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 looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Ivanov tries to circle away but Jones has him pinned against the cage.

Ivanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ivanov throws a chopping leg kick but Jones manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Sergei Ivanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jones tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ivanov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ivanov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Jones.
Ivanov misses the jab.

Jones gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A head punch on the inside from Jones fails to land.
Jones lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jones lands with a right to the head.
Jones blocking some punches.
Jones throws an elbow but it misses.

Ivanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Jones dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Sergei Ivanov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ivanov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sergei Ivanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ivanov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Ivanov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ivanov keeps the fight on the outside.
Ivanov throws a right and a left that Jones avoids nicely.
Ivanov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ivanov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jones shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ivanov as he jumps to the side.
Ivanov tries to score with a low kick but Jones moves his leg out of the way.

Ivanov pushes Jones up against the cage in a clinch.
Ivanov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jones prevents a body shot from Ivanov.
Ivanov wants to get back to striking at distance but Jones won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov tries to work over Jones's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Jones lands a damaging elbow.
Jones stalling in the clinch but Ivanov improves position.
Jones lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ivanov backwards.
Jones misses with an elbow strike.
Ivanov scores with a shoulder strike.
Ivanov is looking to control Jones's arms but Jones gets an underhook and turns him. Now Ivanov has his back to the cage.
Ivanov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jones misses with a punch to the body.
Ivanov is trying to break the clinch but Jones is controlling him.
Jones swings wildly with an uppercut but Ivanov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jones misses with a punch on the inside.
Ivanov is looking to break free of the clinch but Jones has double underhooks.
A head punch on the inside from Jones fails to land.
Jones misses with the head strike.
Ivanov holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov has had enough of the clinch but Jones keeps him there for the moment.
Jones looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ivanov tries to work over Jones's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Jones misses with a body punch.
Jones working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Jones has Ivanov pressed against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jones taking a breather.
Jones misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ivanov is looking to control Jones's arms but Jones gets an underhook and turns him. Now Ivanov has his back to the cage.
Jones misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ivanov tries to throw a body punch but Jones avoids it by throwing Ivanov back against the cage.
Ivanov tries to break free but Jones pushes him back against the cage.

Ivanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jones cracks Ivanov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jones closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Jones gets through Ivanov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Jones keeps control of Ivanov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Jones pushes Ivanov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Jones misses with a punch to the body.
A short left from Jones.
Ivanov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Jones has him pressed against the cage.
Jones gets through Ivanov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ivanov misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Jones fails to land.
Jones slows down the pace here.

Ivanov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch but Ivanov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov takes the fight into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jones displaying some good clinch control by pressing Ivanov up against the cage.
Jones lands a hook that snaps the head of Ivanov backwards.
Jones lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Jones has a couple of punches blocked by Ivanov.

Ivanov breaks from the clinch.
Ivanov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ivanov moves forwards but Jones connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Jones closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jones lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Jones trying to stall but Ivanov improves his position.
Ivanov has had enough of the clinch but Jones keeps him there for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Jones clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Sergei Ivanov's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Jones is looking to clinch but Ivanov is avoiding it.
Jones is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jones shoots in but Ivanov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ivanov lands with a hook. Jones tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ivanov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ivanov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

Ivanov moves into range and clinches up with Jones.
Ivanov working hard to break the clinch.
Jones managing to block the knees to the body from Ivanov.
Jones works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Jones is struggling to control the position.
Jones lands a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones is working Ivanov over against the cage.
Jones lands an elbow that stopped Ivanov in his tracks for a moment.
Jones lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ivanov backwards.
Jones lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Still in the clinch, Jones scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ivanov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Jones misses with the head strike.
Jones keeps control of Ivanov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Jones keeps control of Ivanov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ivanov blocks an elbow strike.
Ivanov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Ivanov blocks a body shot from Jones.
Jones lands a nice uppercut.

Ivanov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 takes a swing at Jones's ribcage but misses.
Ivanov throws a right and a left that Jones avoids nicely.
Nice uppercut there from Jones.
Ivanov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ivanov throws the kick towards the body but Jones avoids it.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ivanov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sergei Ivanov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jones wants to clinch.
Ivanov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Nice straight punches there by Ivanov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ivanov.
Jones takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Jones gets tackled into the cage by Ivanov. Ivanov maintains the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones throws a head punch that misses.
Jones keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ivanov's efforts to push away.
Ivanov tries to break free but Jones pushes him back against the cage.
Ivanov taking a breather.
Ivanov wants to get back to striking at distance but Jones won't allow it.
Jones scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A head punch on the inside from Jones fails to land.
Ivanov blocks a body shot from Jones.
A head punch on the inside from Jones fails to land.
Jones comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ivanov managing to block the knees to the body from Jones.
Jones tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Jones stalling the fight.
Jones on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov breaks from the clinch.
Jones tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch but Ivanov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch but Ivanov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Some bone on bone action there as Jones checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

Ivanov moves into the clinch.

Ivanov manages to break the clinch.
Ivanov throws a body punch but Jones moves out of range.
Ivanov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jones tries to clinch but Ivanov is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ivanov throws a low kick, looking for Jones's leg but Jones calmly moves out of range.
Jones goes for a double leg but Ivanov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ivanov continues to drive forward.
Ivanov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Jones had his way with Sergei Ivanov in that round.
The cut man is working on Sergei Ivanov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ivanov throws a series of punches but Jones avoids them all with ease.
Sergei Ivanov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ivanov connects with a right hand. Jones shakes it off.
Ivanov misses with a double jab
and Jones counters with a nice uppercut.

Jones has Ivanov up against the cage in a clinch.
Ivanov can't find room to land a body shot as Jones controls the action.
Jones makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Good body shot from Ivanov.
Ivanov pushes Jones back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Ivanov breaks from the clinch.

Ivanov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Jones misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones lands an uppercut.
Jones looking to slow down the pace here.
Jones lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ivanov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ivanov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Jones prevents a body shot from Ivanov.
Ivanov tries a body shot but Jones blocks it.
Jones tries to throw a body punch but Ivanov avoids it by throwing Jones back against the cage.
Jones misses with the head strike.
Ivanov tries to work over Jones's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ivanov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Jones misses with a hook from the clinch.

Ivanov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Ivanov has Jones up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov avoiding damage as Jones throws knees to the body.
Jones throws a punch but it's blocked by Ivanov.
Ivanov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ivanov struggles to land a body shot inside as Jones controls his hands.
Ivanov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ivanov tries to land knees in the clinch but Jones avoids the damage to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Jones just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ivanov's brow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jones lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ivanov backwards.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Jones keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ivanov's efforts to push away.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Stalling in the clinch from Jones.
Jones blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Jones tries to stall but Ivanov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ivanov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Sergei Ivanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ivanov tries to land knees in the clinch but Jones avoids the damage to the body.

Ivanov breaks from the clinch.
Ivanov throws a front kick aimed at Jones's knee but Jones avoids it well.
Jones lands with an uppercut that bounces Ivanov off the cage and back into range.

Ivanov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ivanov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ivanov trying to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Jones.
Ivanov tries to land knees in the clinch but Jones avoids the damage to the body.
Ivanov avoiding damage as Jones throws knees to the body.
Jones blocks a body shot from Ivanov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ivanov looking to stall.
A right hand to the body from Ivanov.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ivanov blocks a body shot from Jones.
Ivanov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Jones or not.
Ivanov is trying to break the clinch but Jones has him pressed against the cage.
Ivanov misses with a body punch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jones lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Nice body punch from Ivanov - that landed with a thud.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
A nice left hand lands by Jones.
Jones tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Jones is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sergei Ivanov.
I think Jones 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 48:47
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 48:47
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Jones!
Tom Jones retains his welterweight title!
Tom Jones spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.