PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tshephang Batho (ranked 1448 p4p, 183 weight class) and Marin Ivanov (ranked 3730 p4p, 394 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Batho
vs
Ivanov

185 cm
22
172 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
173 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Great low kicks
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
UnderGround Supplements

UnderGround Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tshephang Batho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marin Ivanov!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Yves DeLean and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ivanov shoots in for a takedown but Batho shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Batho tries to sprawl but Ivanov drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Ivanov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Batho defends it well.
Ivanov wants to pass the guard but Batho is defending well.
Batho keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Batho is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Team Croatia, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Ivanov stops Batho from getting back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Batho is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Ivanov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Ivanov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Batho defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batho pushes Ivanov off looking to stand but Ivanov dives back in and keeps control.
Batho regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Ivanov.

Ivanov postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Batho is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Ivanov, into his guard.

Batho wants to get up but he can't break Ivanov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Batho stays in close to Ivanov's body and controls the position.
Batho stops Ivanov from standing up.
Batho wanted to stand there but Ivanov had control of the position.
Batho is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov wants to stand but Batho is controlling the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Ivanov wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Batho manages to pass to side control.
Ivanov is trying to escape back to his feet but Batho uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Batho is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ivanov is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Ivanov wants to get back to his feet but Batho is dominant here and he's now got Ivanov's back!
Ivanov is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batho trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Ivanov doesn't escape.
Ivanov is trying to get back to his feet but Batho has full control of the position and if anything, Ivanov has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Good control from Batho.
Ivanov is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Batho controlling from the back.
Ivanov is trying to stand back up.
Ivanov is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batho controlling the position well here. Ivanov rolled but Batho kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Ivanov is trying to get back to his feet but Batho has full control of the position and if anything, Ivanov has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Ivanov manages to get to his feet, escaping the difficult position.
A big left from Batho misses.
Batho thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Ivanov if he has to take too many more of those.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tshephang Batho dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ivanov has his takedown stuffed
and Batho counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ivanov thinking.
Ivanov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Batho.
Batho scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ivanov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Batho counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Batho lands a big head kick that sends Ivanov tumbling to the mat! Batho takes a step backwards and waves Ivanov back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Ivanov is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ivanov fails with the takedown
and Batho counters with a beautiful right hand that knocks Ivanov out cold! What a finish! Batho is going crazy, running around the mat, summersaulting off the corner posts and screaming into the cameras. Something tells me he's pretty happy!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:40 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Tshephang Batho!