PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anatoliy Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Todd mcPherson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ivanov comes into the arena with The Terminator Theme Song blaring out of the sound system. The key to victory for Anatoliy Ivanov has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Ivanov
vs
mcPherson

186 cm
20
215 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

186 cm
24
212 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Anatoliy Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Todd mcPherson!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ivanov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ivanov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ivanov scores with a hook to the body. mcPherson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
mcPherson moves away from the strike by Ivanov.
Ivanov misses with a body shot.
A lazy left from Ivanov finds it's target.

It looks like Todd mcPherson has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
mcPherson shoots in for a takedown but Ivanov shows good takedown defense.
Ivanov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ivanov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ivanov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
mcPherson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
mcPherson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ivanov circles away quickly and effectively.
mcPherson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
mcPherson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ivanov's waist but Ivanov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing mcPherson off to one side.
Anatoliy Ivanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Todd mcPherson.
mcPherson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ivanov.
Ivanov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Ivanov throws the left hand but mcPherson avoids the punch easily.
mcPherson is trying desperately to land a takedown but Ivanov is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for mcPherson.
mcPherson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ivanov manages to avoid it.
mcPherson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ivanov defends it nicely.
mcPherson looks gassed!
Ivanov works mcPherson's body with a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov thuds a left hand into mcPherson's body.
Ivanov lands a right hook to the body.
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!
Ivanov throws a nice looking combination but mcPherson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
mcPherson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ivanov.
mcPherson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That has opened up Todd mcPherson's cut even more.
Ivanov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ivanov missing with a left hand there. mcPherson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
mcPherson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ivanov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of mcPherson's head.
mcPherson shoots in for a double leg but Ivanov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ivanov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping mcPherson at a distance.
Ivanov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but mcPherson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ivanov lands with a nice combination. mcPherson backs away looking to recover.
mcPherson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ivanov.
Ivanov misses with a hook. mcPherson ducked under it nicely.
mcPherson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

mcPherson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Ivanov is trying to defend but mcPherson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
mcPherson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ivanov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

mcPherson is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Ivanov still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Ivanov has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Ivanov tries to move to mount but mcPherson blocks the move with his legs.
Ivanov moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
mcPherson wants to control but Ivanov postures up.
mcPherson manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Ivanov is staying active underneath mcPherson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

mcPherson seems to be looking for submissions.

mcPherson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ivanov sees it coming and defends easily.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Ivanov wants to control but mcPherson is keeping busy.

mcPherson seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Ivanov has recovered full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

mcPherson drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Ivanov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now mcPherson has Ivanov in his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anatoliy Ivanov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Todd mcPherson's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

mcPherson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ivanov avoids it really well and circles away.
Ivanov leaves mcPherson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ivanov tries to clinch up.
Ivanov fails in his attempt to clinch.

mcPherson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

mcPherson goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Ivanov rolls with the submission and now he's on top in mcPherson's guard! Nice work there by Ivanov!

mcPherson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov taking a breather here.
mcPherson trying his best to control but Ivanov has mounted him.
Ivanov looking to control but mcPherson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Ivanov throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
mcPherson is trying desperately to improve position.
mcPherson bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

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.
mcPherson trying to control the position from guard on top but Ivanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
mcPherson is pushing down on Ivanov's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ivanov is fighting to maintain full guard but mcPherson has managed to sneak the leg through.

mcPherson seems to be working for a kimura but Ivanov defends the submission attempt.
mcPherson wants to free his trapped foot but Ivanov is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
mcPherson prevents Ivanov from improving his position.
Ivanov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

mcPherson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ivanov dives on top into guard.

mcPherson looking for subs off his back but Ivanov has passed one foot through into half guard.

mcPherson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov is pressing down on mcPherson's thigh, looking to free his foot. mcPherson is holding on for now.
Ivanov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for mcPherson on the ground.

mcPherson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ivanov is trying to control the action in half guard but mcPherson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
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 Anatoliy Ivanov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Todd mcPherson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Ivanov punishes mcPherson's body with a nice straight punch.
mcPherson walks into a straight right hand from Ivanov.
mcPherson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ivanov but Ivanov pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Ivanov moves into range and clinches up with mcPherson.
Ivanov missing with knees to the body.
mcPherson managing to block the knees to the body from Ivanov.
Ivanov working mcPherson over with knees to the body.
mcPherson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ivanov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ivanov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
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!
mcPherson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ivanov lands a knee to the body.
Ivanov lands a damaging elbow.
Ivanov effectively controlling the action here.
Ivanov scores with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
mcPherson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ivanov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has mcPherson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
mcPherson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Anatoliy Ivanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Todd mcPherson.
Ivanov landing knees to the head.

mcPherson works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov is trying to control the position but mcPherson postures up.
mcPherson trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Ivanov manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
mcPherson looking for a sweep. Not yet mcPherson, not yet.

mcPherson is looking for a triangle but Ivanov pushes his legs off easily.
Ivanov stopping the sweep attempt from mcPherson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

mcPherson looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Ivanov has picked mcPherson up and slammed him! mcPherson can't keep hold of the triangle and Ivanov manages to pass to side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
mcPherson is looking to reverse the position.
mcPherson can't do much from the bottom here.
mcPherson is the more experienced fighter here and he's going to need to draw on some of that experience if he's going to pull this one out the bag.
mcPherson gets back to half guard.
mcPherson has a hand on Ivanov's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Ivanov takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Ivanov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that mcPherson can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
mcPherson controls the position.
Ivanov looking to control but mcPherson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Ivanov looking to control and managing it successfully.
mcPherson is trying to escape the mount.
Anatoliy Ivanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.
mcPherson gets back to half guard.
Ivanov is keen to just control but mcPherson is a slippery customer.
mcPherson is trying to get back to full guard.

mcPherson looking for submissions off his back.
Ivanov trying to control from half guard but mcPherson is working away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anatoliy Ivanov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ivanov, 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 Suge Night scores the fight for Anatoliy Ivanov!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Anatoliy Ivanov!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Anatoliy Ivanov!

Anatoliy Ivanov wins by unanimous decision!