PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksey Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinichi Onizuka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Onizuka has chosen The Weeknd - Kiss Land as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Ivanov
vs
Onizuka

180 cm
34
185 lbs
27 - 12 - 1

185 cm
28
181 lbs
17 - 8 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)
Sex Panther! (160q recovery $149)

Steel Penn's All 160

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 27 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Aleksey Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Shinichi Onizuka!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Chris Edwards and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Onizuka tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ivanov defends well and Onizuka ends up having to push Ivanov into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Ivanov is working for takedown but Onizuka is calmly controlling the position for now.

Onizuka pulls Ivanov into guard.
Onizuka looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ivanov is one step ahead there.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Onizuka is trying to keep Ivanov in close.
Ivanov trying to control but Onizuka is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Onizuka is on top in guard.
Ivanov is trying to hold Onizuka in close to prevent damage but Onizuka has managed to pass into half guard.
Onizuka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ivanov keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Onizuka is thwarting Ivanov's attempts to control the position.
Ivanov is staying active underneath Onizuka, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Onizuka passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Ivanov!
Ivanov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Ivanov is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Don Frye's Fight Club, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Ivanov stops Onizuka from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka trying to control but Ivanov is having none of it.
Onizuka takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Ivanov wants to control but Onizuka is having none of it.
Onizuka looking to control but Ivanov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Ivanov sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ivanov is staying active underneath Onizuka, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Onizuka seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Onizuka is looking to advance position but Ivanov won't allow it.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Shinichi Onizuka.
Ivanov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ivanov with a poor takedown

and Onizuka counters with a single leg into guard. Ivanov didn't expect that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksey Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Onizuka wants to control from the top but Ivanov keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Ivanov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Onizuka doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Onizuka manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Onizuka trying to control the position from guard on top but Ivanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ivanov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Onizuka is aware though and is defending well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Onizuka trying to control but Ivanov is working from the bottom.

Ivanov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Onizuka defends well.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka stays in close to Ivanov's body and controls the position.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Onizuka pushing down on Ivanov's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Onizuka with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Ivanov is refusing to be controlled, as Onizuka sits in half guard.
Ivanov is looking for a sweep. Onizuka is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Onizuka seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ivanov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Ivanov trying to control from the bottom.
Onizuka is keen to just control but Ivanov is a slippery customer.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Shinichi Onizuka.
No luck for Ivanov with that takedown attempt.

Onizuka tries to sprawl but Ivanov drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Onizuka wants to get back to full guard.
Onizuka gets back to full guard.

Onizuka throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ivanov wants to control from the top but Onizuka keeps moving.
Ivanov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Onizuka looking to control.
Ivanov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Onizuka is keeping the position for now.
Onizuka keeping moving, preventing Ivanov from controlling successfully.

Ivanov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Onizuka is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ivanov defends well.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ivanov manages to get himself to full guard.
Onizuka trying to control the position from guard on top but Ivanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ivanov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Onizuka can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov keeping full guard, as Onizuka tries to pass.
Ivanov trying to control the position.
Onizuka stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ivanov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ivanov working a defensive guard but Onizuka manages to pass into side control anyway.
Ivanov seems a little lost for a moment, as Onizuka dominates the positioning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shinichi Onizuka dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Onizuka shoots for a takedown but Ivanov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ivanov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Onizuka is fending him off so far but Ivanov persists. Nope, Onizuka circles away and we're back to standing.
Onizuka displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ivanov.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Nice sprawl there from Onizuka as Ivanov shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksey Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ivanov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Onizuka!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov trying to control the action but Onizuka is working from the bottom.
Onizuka tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ivanov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Shinichi Onizuka has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ivanov trying to control the action but Onizuka is working from the bottom.
Onizuka manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Well, if Onizuka is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Onizuka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ivanov keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Ivanov's thigh. Ivanov counters though and makes it back to full guard.

Onizuka got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ivanov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Onizuka has managed to get both his arms back between Ivanov's legs - danger averted.
Onizuka trying to control but Ivanov is working from the bottom.
Onizuka stopping the sweep attempt from Ivanov.
Onizuka trying to control but Ivanov is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Onizuka preventing the sweep.
Onizuka wants to control from the top but Ivanov keeps moving.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Shinichi Onizuka hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Ivanov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Onizuka is fending him off so far but Ivanov persists. Nope, Onizuka circles away and we're back to standing.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Onizuka is working to get back to half guard.
Onizuka tries to hold on but Ivanov pushes him away.
Onizuka is hanging on here. He's in a desperate position.
Onizuka is wriggling around trying to escape.
Onizuka regains half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ivanov passes to side control.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Onizuka keeps working.
Onizuka wants to control but Ivanov postures up.
Ivanov is looking to take a break and control but Onizuka is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Onizuka is looking to reverse the position.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov trying to control the action but Onizuka is working from the bottom.
Ivanov has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Onizuka!
Onizuka manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Ivanov is just content to waste time from the top position. Onizuka takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Ivanov looking to pass the guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov won't allow Onizuka to sweep him here.
Onizuka keeps trying to improve his position.
Onizuka is pulling down on Ivanov's head. It's preventing any offense from Ivanov, at least for the moment.
Onizuka trying to control the position.
Ivanov looking to sit in guard and control but Onizuka gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Onizuka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov keeping moving, preventing Onizuka from controlling successfully.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Shinichi Onizuka wasn't active enough on the ground.
Ivanov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Onizuka is fending him off so far but Ivanov persists. Nope, Onizuka circles away and we're back to standing.
Onizuka misses with a takedown attempt

and Ivanov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ivanov.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov controlling from the top position.
Ivanov wants to control from the top but Onizuka keeps moving.

Onizuka looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ivanov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Onizuka swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ivanov trying to control but Onizuka is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ivanov is really struggling to control Onizuka but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Aleksey Ivanov has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Ivanov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Onizuka counters with a takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Onizuka tries to sprawl but Ivanov drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Onizuka trying to control here.
Onizuka has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Ivanov trying to control the action but Onizuka is working from the bottom.
Onizuka works his way to full guard. Good work.

Onizuka working for a triangle but Ivanov defends it easily.
Ivanov trying to control but Onizuka is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Onizuka is on top in guard.
Ivanov trying to keep a closed guard but Onizuka is proving a slippery customer.
Onizuka trying to control but Ivanov is working from the bottom.

Onizuka avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Onizuka trying to control but Ivanov is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Onizuka got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ivanov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Onizuka has managed to get both his arms back between Ivanov's legs - danger averted.
Onizuka wants to control from the top but Ivanov keeps moving.
Ivanov wants to sweep but no luck.

Ivanov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Onizuka is aware though and is defending well.

Ivanov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Ivanov looking for a guillotine here but Onizuka defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka advances position into side control!
Onizuka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ivanov keeps working.
Ivanov is looking to regain half guard here but Onizuka keeps moving and retains side control.
Onizuka trying to control the position but Ivanov is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov tries to bench press Onizuka off him but Onizuka keeps the position.
Onizuka is staying tight to Ivanov's torso, preventing him from escaping.

Onizuka thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Onizuka is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ivanov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Ivanov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Onizuka working away.

That's six 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.
Onizuka trying to control the position but Ivanov is working away.
A lull in the action here.
Ivanov is looking for a sweep.

Onizuka is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ivanov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Ivanov is looking to regain half guard here but Onizuka keeps moving and retains side control.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka wants to control but Ivanov is keeping him busy.

Onizuka thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Ivanov is looking for a sweep.
Onizuka is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Ivanov's shoulder. That is not cool.
Ivanov is not content to let Onizuka control the position.
Onizuka might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Ivanov haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Shinichi Onizuka.
Ivanov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Ivanov with that takedown attempt.
Ivanov fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksey Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Onizuka shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Onizuka was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

And that's the end of the fight!
Shinichi Onizuka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Onizuka 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 Steven Brown scores the fight for Shinichi Onizuka!
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight for Shinichi Onizuka!
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight for Shinichi Onizuka!

Shinichi Onizuka wins by unanimous decision!
A very excited looking Shinichi Onizuka made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.