PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ben Bigelow (ranked 24906 p4p, 7242 weight class) and Raitis Ivanans (ranked 614 p4p, 551 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Bigelow
vs
Ivanans

197 cm
21
250
1 - 3 - 0

220 cm
26
227
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ben Bigelow!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Raitis Ivanans!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Chad Campbell and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ivanans slips a straight right by Bigelow.
Bigelow misses with a two punch combination.
Ivanans tries a head kick but it misses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Bigelow darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
The fighters circling - Bigelow throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ivanans avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bigelow misses with a double jab.
Bigelow stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bigelow wants it to stay on the feet.

Bigelow moves into the clinch successfully.
Ivanans is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Bigelow pulls him back up using the underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ivanans tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Bigelow smiles and moves away.
Ben Bigelow has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raitis Ivanans.
Bigelow fails to land with a series of punches.
Bigelow throws a right and a left that Ivanans avoids nicely.

Bigelow closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Bigelow's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bigelow misses with a body kick.

Bigelow moves into the clinch successfully.
Ivanans is trying to pull guard but Bigelow has him pressed against the cage.
Bigelow is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Ivanans tries to pull guard but Bigelow holds him up against the cage and eventually Ivanans drops back down to his feet.
Ivanans looking for a takedown.
Bigelow stops a takedown attempt from Ivanans.

Ivanans ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Ivanans no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Bigelow trying to control but Ivanans is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanans has control of Bigelow's left arm, preventing Bigelow from doing any damage.
Ivanans keeping moving, preventing Bigelow from controlling successfully.
Ivanans looking for a sweep. Not yet Ivanans, not yet.
Ivanans is striking off his back. Bigelow thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Bigelow is thwarting Ivanans's attempts to control the position.
Ivanans keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanans trying to hold on to Bigelow's head to control him but Bigelow postures up.
Ivanans is looking for a sweep. Bigelow is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ivanans felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Bigelow content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Bigelow lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bigelow.
Ivanans showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bigelow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bigelow moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Bigelow breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bigelow seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.

Ivanans closes the distance and clinches.

Bigelow breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ivanans lands a head kick!

It looks like Ben Bigelow has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bigelow throws a right hand that Ivanans ducks under and follows up with a left that Ivanans also avoids with ease.

Ivanans clinches with his opponent.
Ivanans is trying to pull guard but Bigelow has him pressed against the cage.
Ivanans jumps guard but Bigelow stands there with Ivanans around his waist. Ivanans gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Bigelow dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ben Bigelow's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bigelow throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ivanans counters with a left and a right that stings Bigelow.
Ivanans is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Ivanans avoids the head kick by Bigelow.
Bigelow throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ivanans counters with a nice body kick.
Bigelow is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ivanans can do to turn this around?
Ivanans misses with a head kick.
Bigelow swinging wildly here.

Ivanans closes the distance and pushes Bigelow back into the cage.
Ivanans tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ivanans fails to pull guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Ivanans drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Bigelow gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ben Bigelow has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raitis Ivanans.
Ivanans tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanans drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Bigelow breaks from the clinch.
Bigelow throws a left and a right that both miss

and Ivanans counters by moving into the clinch.

Ivanans gets control of Bigelow's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ivanans will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Bigelow has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Bigelow being controlled here momentarily.

Bigelow gets to his feet - Ivanans follows without any prompting.
Ben Bigelow is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bigelow is looking to score with low kicks.
Ben Bigelow is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ivanans closes the distance but Bigelow moves to the side
and Bigelow counters with a series of strikes. Ivanans will be more careful next time no doubt.
Bigelow throws a lazy right hand but Ivanans sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Bigelow takes the fight into the clinch.

Bigelow breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ivanans looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bigelow is fending him off so far but Ivanans persists. Nope, Bigelow circles away and we're back to standing.
Ben Bigelow is winning the standup battle so far.

Bigelow forces Ivanans back against the cage and clinches.

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

Bigelow closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanans is trying to drag Bigelow to the mat but Bigelow just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Ivanans successfully pulls guard.
Ivanans tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ivanans has his hands on Bigelow's head, controlling the position.
Ivanans keeping moving, preventing Bigelow from controlling successfully.
Ivanans looking for a sweep. Not yet Ivanans, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Ivanans working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bigelow doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bigelow manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bigelow trying to control the position from guard on top but Ivanans is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ivanans is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bigelow throws a leg kick but Ivanans moved away.
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 Ben Bigelow will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ben Bigelow's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Bigelow throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ivanans or perhaps it was just good defense by Bigelow, which made it look bad.
Bigelow swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bigelow cracks Ivanans with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Bigelow clinches up against the cage.

Bigelow manages to break the clinch.
Ben Bigelow seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bigelow misses with a double jab.
Ivanans avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ivanans dodges the punch combination from Bigelow.
Ivanans shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bigelow is looking to counter the offense by Ivanans and move into the clinch.

Bigelow tries to keep at a distance but Ivanans has taken the fight into the clinch.

Bigelow breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanans tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bigelow sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ivanans somewhat.
Ben Bigelow has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raitis Ivanans.
Bigelow feints a jab promting Ivanans to slip. Bigelow then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Ivanans slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Bigelow throws a right and a left that Ivanans avoids nicely.
Ivanans changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bigelow tries to avoid it but Ivanans manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bigelow to the ground. Bigelow escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ivanans has a takedown stuffed.
Ivanans fails to land the takedown.
Ivanans takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bigelow pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Ivanans back to the cage. Bigelow follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Bigelow looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bigelow tries to bum rush Ivanans with a series of wild strikes but Ivanans uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ivanans changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Bigelow looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A decent looking cross lands there for Bigelow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bigelow lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Horrible takedown attempt by Ivanans or perhaps it was just good defense by Bigelow, which made it look bad.
Bigelow throws a big counter combination but Ivanans scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Ivanans shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bigelow as he avoids it easily.
Bigelow throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ivanans.
Bigelow throws a right and a left that Ivanans avoids nicely.
Ivanans moves in looking to clinch but Bigelow pushes him off.
Bigelow throws a nice looking combination but Ivanans bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanans slips under a jab from Bigelow.
A big right from Bigelow misses.
Bigelow stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bigelow wants it to stay on the feet.
Ivanans dives in and grabs Bigelow's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bigelow pushes down on Ivanans's head and hops out.
Bigelow swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Ivanans counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Ivanans jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Bigelow walks away with a smile on his face. Ivanans gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Bigelow closes the distance and clinches.
Ben Bigelow has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Ivanans jumps into guard, dragging Bigelow to the mat.
Bigelow advances to half guard.
Ivanans wants to control but Bigelow is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Bigelow controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanans trying to hold on to Bigelow's head to control him but Bigelow postures up.
Ivanans might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bigelow haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Bigelow is trying to control. Ivanans wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Raitis Ivanans has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ben Bigelow is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ivanans is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Bigelow showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bigelow, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Bigelow!