PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Serge Ibaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Pinaglabanan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John Pinaglabanan has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Ibaka
vs
Pinaglabanan

170 cm
33
143 lbs
25 - 7 - 0

171 cm
33
144 lbs
20 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Versus
Phantom Fightwear

Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Serge Ibaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, John Pinaglabanan!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Donald Grub and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ibaka checks a low kick from Pinaglabanan.
Ibaka lands a jab to Pinaglabanan's midsection.
Pinaglabanan slips a straight right by Ibaka.
A left lands for Ibaka.
Pinaglabanan throws a body kick that misses
and Pinaglabanan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Pinaglabanan misses with a leg kick
and Ibaka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Pinaglabanan misses with a looping left.
Ibaka was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Pinaglabanan connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Pinaglabanan keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

It looks like Serge Ibaka has been cut.
Pinaglabanan throws a leg kick
and Ibaka counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ibaka connects with the punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ibaka digs a good hook to Pinaglabanan's body.
Ibaka moves out of range of the strikes.
John Pinaglabanan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pinaglabanan looks to throw a body kick
and Ibaka counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ibaka blocks a head kick by Pinaglabanan.
Pinaglabanan has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Pinaglabanan slips a jab from Ibaka.
Pinaglabanan will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
An attempted straight right counter from Ibaka misses the target.
Pinaglabanan throws a head kick but Ibaka moves out of range.
A leg kick checked by Ibaka.
Pinaglabanan walks into a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pinaglabanan looks to land a combination but Ibaka avoids it well.
Pinaglabanan misses with a body shot.
Pinaglabanan tries to clinch but Ibaka moves away
and Ibaka counters with a nice uppercut.
Ibaka jabs Pinaglabanan right on the nose. Pinaglabanan blinks but takes it well.
Pinaglabanan doesn't manage to clinch there - Ibaka circles away.
Pinaglabanan moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Ibaka changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ibaka lands with a right hand.
Ibaka throws a jab when Pinaglabanan was well out of range.
Ibaka throws a sloppy head kick and Pinaglabanan moves out of range easily.

Pinaglabanan moves into range and clinches up with Ibaka.
Ibaka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ibaka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
I was talking to Ibaka's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ibaka is leaning against Pinaglabanan and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Ibaka tries to land a knee to the head but Pinaglabanan blocks with his arms.
Ibaka digs a right hand underneath Pinaglabanan's ribcage. Pinaglabanan let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Ibaka missing with knees to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pinaglabanan.
A short left from Ibaka.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka tries to work over Pinaglabanan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Pinaglabanan throws a head punch that misses.
Ibaka looking to slow down the pace here.
Pinaglabanan misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ibaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Pinaglabanan tries to work over Ibaka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ibaka throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ibaka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pinaglabanan tries a body shot but Ibaka blocks it.
Ibaka stalling in the clinch but Pinaglabanan improves position.
Ibaka avoiding damage.
Ibaka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ibaka lands a left hand that snaps the head of Pinaglabanan backwards.
Pinaglabanan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ibaka misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch on the inside from Pinaglabanan fails to land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ibaka connects with a single shot there.
Pinaglabanan looks to land a right hand but Ibaka moved out of range.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Pinaglabanan in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Pinaglabanan lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Pinaglabanan shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Pinaglabanan lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ibaka misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Pinaglabanan 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.
Ibaka is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Pinaglabanan throws a leg kick
and Ibaka cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Jab by Pinaglabanan.
Pinaglabanan blocks a jab.
Ibaka missing with a left hand there. Pinaglabanan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pinaglabanan tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ibaka is able to avoid easily.
Ibaka is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pinaglabanan can do to turn this around?
Ibaka defending well as Pinaglabanan loads up on a big left hand.
Ibaka thuds his right hand into Pinaglabanan's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ibaka bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Pinaglabanan's head backwards.
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!
Ibaka ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ibaka blocks a head kick by Pinaglabanan.
Ibaka blocks a jab.
Ibaka appears to be looking for a big counter.
Pinaglabanan plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pinaglabanan throws a leg kick
and Pinaglabanan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ibaka scores with the left hand. Pinaglabanan knows he should have avoided that one.
Pinaglabanan works the jab nicely.
Pinaglabanan throws a leg kick but Ibaka sees it coming and moves out of range.
Pinaglabanan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ibaka moves away.
Ibaka thows a left - swing and a miss!
Pinaglabanan closes the distance but Ibaka moves to the side
and Ibaka counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ibaka staying out of range there.
Pinaglabanan swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ibaka lands a nice hook to Pinaglabanan's body. Pinaglabanan takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A chopping leg kick lands by Pinaglabanan.
Pinaglabanan misses with an uppercut
enabling Ibaka to counter with a crisp jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ibaka connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A jab lands there for Ibaka.
Pinaglabanan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ibaka paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ibaka throws a hook but Pinaglabanan avoids it easily.
Pinaglabanan misses with a lunging right hand
and Pinaglabanan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Pinaglabanan pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ibaka is out of range and Pinaglabanan settles back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pinaglabanan looks to throw a body kick
and Ibaka counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Pinaglabanan plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Pinaglabanan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ibaka.
Pinaglabanan looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ibaka bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Pinaglabanan throws a lazy body kick
and Ibaka counters with a nice uppercut.
Pinaglabanan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ibaka makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Some wild striking there from Pinaglabanan.
Ibaka blocks a jab.
Ibaka feints and then cracks Pinaglabanan's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Pinaglabanan down.
Ibaka misses with an uppercut.
Pinaglabanan misses with a hook to the body
and Ibaka counters with a head kick.
Pinaglabanan has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Pinaglabanan throws a body kick that misses.
A jab from Ibaka finds it's way through Pinaglabanan's defenses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pinaglabanan ducks under a wild hook from Ibaka.
Ibaka throws an overhand right that lands on Pinaglabanan's shoulder, as Pinaglabanan tries to avoid the shot.
Pinaglabanan swats away the attempt to clinch by Ibaka.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Serge Ibaka dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Serge Ibaka's cut.
That's time! Ibaka's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Pinaglabanan on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Ibaka has closed the distance and engaged Pinaglabanan in a clinch.
Pinaglabanan misses with some punches.
Ibaka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Pinaglabanan tries to throw a body punch but Ibaka avoids it by throwing Pinaglabanan back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ibaka.
Pinaglabanan fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pinaglabanan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ibaka blocks an uppercut.
Ibaka prevents a body shot from Pinaglabanan.
Ibaka blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ibaka.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pinaglabanan tries to throw a body punch but Ibaka avoids it by throwing Pinaglabanan back against the cage.
Ibaka lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Pinaglabanan tries a body shot but Ibaka blocks it.
Ibaka blocks a body shot from Pinaglabanan.
Pinaglabanan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ibaka swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibaka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Pinaglabanan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A shot in the inside from Pinaglabanan.
Pinaglabanan lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Ibaka lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ibaka creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Pinaglabanan throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Pinaglabanan fails to land.
Pinaglabanan can't find room to land a body shot as Ibaka controls the action.
Ibaka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Pinaglabanan throws a head punch that misses.
Pinaglabanan fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pinaglabanan misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pinaglabanan has a couple of punches blocked by Ibaka.
Pinaglabanan blocks an uppercut.
John Pinaglabanan seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ibaka softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Pinaglabanan.
Ibaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pinaglabanan's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Pinaglabanan avoids it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ibaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Pinaglabanan blocks an uppercut.
Ibaka blocks a body shot from Pinaglabanan.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pinaglabanan.
A head punch on the inside from Pinaglabanan fails to land.
Ibaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Pinaglabanan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Still in the clinch, Ibaka scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ibaka lands a hook to the side of the head.
Pinaglabanan misses with the head strike.
Pinaglabanan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ibaka trying to land knees to the body.
Pinaglabanan misses with a punch on the inside.
Ibaka has a couple of punches blocked by Pinaglabanan.
Ibaka lands a body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Pinaglabanan fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ibaka.
Ibaka 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 round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Serge Ibaka did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Serge Ibaka's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Pinaglabanan misses with a low kick.
Pinaglabanan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Pinaglabanan throws a body kick that misses
and Ibaka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like John Pinaglabanan has been cut.
Ibaka blocks the body kick.
Pinaglabanan thows a leg kick but Ibaka checks it
enabling Ibaka to counter with a crisp jab.
Pinaglabanan avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ibaka scores with the left hand. Pinaglabanan knows he should have avoided that one.

Pinaglabanan is rocked!
Ibaka on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Pinaglabanan is still on wobbly legs! Can Ibaka finish him?
The fighters circling - Ibaka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pinaglabanan seems to have recovered his senses.
Ibaka looks to land a combination but Pinaglabanan avoids it well.
The fighters circling - Ibaka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pinaglabanan pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ibaka throws a shot to the body.

Pinaglabanan clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ibaka lands with a left to the head.
A short left from Pinaglabanan.
Ibaka prevents a body shot from Pinaglabanan.
A head punch on the inside from Pinaglabanan fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Ibaka.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pinaglabanan.
Pinaglabanan lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Pinaglabanan throws a punch but it's blocked by Ibaka.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ibaka.
Ibaka digs a right hand underneath Pinaglabanan's ribcage. Pinaglabanan let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Pinaglabanan blocks a body shot from Ibaka.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ibaka.
Ibaka blocks an uppercut.
Pinaglabanan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Pinaglabanan tries to throw a body punch but Ibaka avoids it by throwing Pinaglabanan back against the cage.
Ibaka softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ibaka working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Pinaglabanan working aggressively here.
Pinaglabanan misses with a body punch.
Pinaglabanan can't find room to land a body shot as Ibaka controls the action.
Pinaglabanan blocks a body shot from Ibaka.
Ibaka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Pinaglabanan fails to land.
Pinaglabanan misses with some punches.
Pinaglabanan tries to throw a body punch but Ibaka avoids it by throwing Pinaglabanan back against the cage.
Ibaka blocking some punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ibaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pinaglabanan working aggressively here.
Ibaka throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Pinaglabanans head.
Ibaka prevents a body shot from Pinaglabanan.
Pinaglabanan working aggressively here.
Pinaglabanan struggles to land a body shot inside as Ibaka controls his hands.
Ibaka lands a right hand that snaps the head of Pinaglabanan backwards.
Ibaka fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pinaglabanan misses with the head strike.
Ibaka lands an uppercut.
Ibaka throws an elbow but it misses.
Ibaka with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Pinaglabanan has a couple of punches blocked by Ibaka.
Ibaka lands with a right to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Serge Ibaka had his way with John Pinaglabanan in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Pinaglabanan chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ibaka can pounce on him.
Pinaglabanan throws a poor cross that misses
and Ibaka counters with a left and a right that stings Pinaglabanan.
Ibaka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pinaglabanan moves away.
Ibaka throws a shot to the body.
Ibaka lands a body shot.
Pinaglabanan throws a leg kick
and Ibaka counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ibaka takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ibaka swats away the attempt to clinch by Pinaglabanan.
Pinaglabanan swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A little feinted left hand from Ibaka on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Pinaglabanan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Pinaglabanan misses with a body punch
and Ibaka counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ibaka pushes Pinaglabanan up against the cage in a clinch.
Ibaka lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Pinaglabanan.
Pinaglabanan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Pinaglabanan throws a head punch that misses.
Pinaglabanan has a couple of punches blocked by Ibaka.
Pinaglabanan throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibaka lands a shot to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ibaka.
Pinaglabanan is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Ibaka softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Pinaglabanan has a couple of punches blocked by Ibaka.
Ibaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ibaka lands a left hand that snaps the head of Pinaglabanan backwards.
Serge Ibaka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ibaka is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Ibaka lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Pinaglabanan lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ibaka backwards.
Pinaglabanan can't find room to land a body shot as Ibaka controls the action.
Ibaka scores with a shot to the side of Pinaglabanan's head.
Ibaka lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Pinaglabanan misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pinaglabanan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ibaka blocking some punches.
Ibaka lands a right hand that snaps the head of Pinaglabanan backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pinaglabanan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pinaglabanan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pinaglabanan throws a punch but it's blocked by Ibaka.
Pinaglabanan throws a punch but it's blocked by Ibaka.
Ibaka working aggressively here.
Ibaka blocks an uppercut.
Pinaglabanan struggles to land a body shot inside as Ibaka controls his hands.
Pinaglabanan misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pinaglabanan.
Pinaglabanan misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pinaglabanan being controlled against the cage.
Pinaglabanan misses with the head strike.
Pinaglabanan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ibaka lands with a short shot to the head.
Pinaglabanan misses with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Serge Ibaka showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ibaka 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 49:46
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 50:46
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Serge Ibaka!
Serge Ibaka opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.