PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Blagoi Ivanovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Blackmore (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Richard Blackmore was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Ivanovic
vs
Blackmore

200 cm
22
268 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

193 cm
23
267 lbs
6 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Blagoi Ivanovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Richard Blackmore!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Tiny Johnson and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Blackmore gets the takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Ivanovic's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Blackmore goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Ivanovic rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Blackmore's guard! Nice work there by Ivanovic!
Ivanovic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Blackmore is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Blackmore looking for a takedown.
Blackmore tries for a takedown. No joy.

Blackmore tightens his grip and picks Ivanovic up, before dumping him to the ground. Ivanovic manages to land in guard.

Blackmore drops back looking for a leg! Ivanovic is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ivanovic manages to kick Blackmore off! Blackmore jumps back into Ivanovic's guard.

Blackmore drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ivanovic looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ivanovic looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ivanovic!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ivanovic decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Ivanovic gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Blackmore counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Ivanovic!
Ivanovic is breathing heavily.
Blackmore controlling from the full mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Blackmore stands up from mount. Strange move.
Blackmore wants to clinch.

Blackmore closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ivanovic to the mat! Ivanovic manages to get full guard.
Blackmore content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blackmore trying to control but Ivanovic is working from the bottom.

Blackmore is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Blackmore advances position into side control!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Blackmore is looking to take a break and control but Ivanovic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Blackmore is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ivanovic knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Blackmore scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Blackmore is trying to get an arm triangle but Ivanovic is defending well.

Blackmore is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ivanovic is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Ivanovic manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Ivanovic is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Blackmore pushes Ivanovic off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

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

Blackmore looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Ivanovic!
Blackmore tries to control but Ivanovic wriggling away.

Blackmore is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Ivanovic can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Ivanovic keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Blackmore working for a submission but Ivanovic is keeping him at bay.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ivanovic wants to control but Blackmore is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Blackmore dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ivanovic tries to keep at a distance but Blackmore has taken the fight into the clinch.
Blackmore tries for a takedown but Ivanovic manages to get underhooks.

Blackmore pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Blackmore clinches with his opponent.
Blackmore drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ivanovic gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Blackmore has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ivanovic is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Blagoi Ivanovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Blackmore.
Ivanovic trying to control the position but instead, Blackmore has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ivanovic into the cage.
Blackmore looking to slow down the pace here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Blackmore changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ivanovic fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanovic keeps the fight on the outside.
Ivanovic tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Blackmore closes the distance and clinches.
Ivanovic is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Blackmore is keeping busy.
Ivanovic has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Blackmore avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Blackmore has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Ivanovic clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Blackmore missing with strikes.

Blackmore patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Ivanovic preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Blackmore.
What can Ivanovic do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanovic tries to break free.

Blackmore is persistently looking for the submission but Ivanovic is defending it well.
Ivanovic trying to control the hands but Blackmore won't let him.

Blackmore is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Ivanovic is defending well though. Blackmore let's go of the attempt for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Ivanovic preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Blackmore.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanovic manages to reverse the position and now he's in Blackmore's guard. Nice work there by Ivanovic.
Ivanovic tries to stand but Blackmore is controlling from the bottom.
Blackmore wants to get back to his feet but Ivanovic is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Blackmore pushes Ivanovic off and scrambles back to his feet.

Blackmore shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Blackmore was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Richard Blackmore has got the better of the ground game so far.
Blackmore can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ivanovic is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Blackmore wants to finish this one by submission but Ivanovic is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Blackmore.
Blackmore trying to control but Ivanovic is having none of it.

Blackmore looking to secure an arm triangle but Ivanovic defends it well.
Ivanovic tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Blackmore showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

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

Ivanovic defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Blackmore.

Blackmore with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Ivanovic is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Blackmore wants to finish this one by submission but Ivanovic is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Blackmore.
Ivanovic sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanovic is looking for a sweep. Blackmore is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Blackmore is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Blackmore wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ivanovic keeps working.
Blackmore thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Ivanovic is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Blackmore pulls his head out easily.

Blackmore is looking for a kimura here.

Blackmore is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ivanovic sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two 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.

Ivanovic is defending against the submission attempts here by Blackmore.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Blackmore throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ivanovic misses with the combination.
Ivanovic tries to clinch but Blackmore moves away

and Blackmore counters with a shoot takedown. Ivanovic fights it but they end up in guard.
Blackmore throwing strikes from guard but Ivanovic blocks nicely.
Blackmore slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Blackmore sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Ivanovic is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Blackmore takes a little break here. Ivanovic wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanovic is not content to let Blackmore control the position.

Blackmore working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ivanovic gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Ivanovic strikes from the bottom but Blackmore uses the opportunity to move to side control.
Ivanovic is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Blackmore tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Blackmore has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Ivanovic is trying to get back to half guard.

Blackmore thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Blagoi Ivanovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Blackmore tries for a kimura but Ivanovic is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Richard Blackmore comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Blackmore has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Richard Blackmore!