PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Poddubny (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Patrick Willis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ivan Poddubny has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Poddubny
vs
Willis

193 cm
22
265 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
240 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

Fugly Face Clothing

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ivan Poddubny!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Patrick Willis!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Willis lands a nice shot that snaps Poddubny's head back.

It looks like Ivan Poddubny has been cut.

Willis gets the takedown into side control.
Willis is looking to take a break and control but Poddubny is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Poddubny avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Willis.
Willis is chipping away with strikes.
Willis landing strikes.
Poddubny is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Willis is controlling him well.
Willis misses with the ground and pound.
Willis lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
The ground and pound from Willis seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Willis are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Willis sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Poddubny is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Poddubny gets back to half guard.

Poddubny makes his way to full guard, as Willis worked for a kimura.
Poddubny looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Poddubny avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Willis trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Willis trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Poddubny preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Willis working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Willis has gone for a leg lock! Poddubny slips out almost immediately though and dives into Willis's guard.
Willis keeping full guard, as Poddubny tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poddubny sitting in guard here, content to control.
Willis is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Poddubny dives into side control.
Willis struggling a bit here.
Willis wants to get back to his feet but Poddubny drags him back down.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.
Poddubny working away.
Poddubny happy to just control the position for now.
Willis is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Poddubny has just dragged him back down to the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Patrick Willis dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Poddubny's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Willis misses with the combination.
Poddubny fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Poddubny ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Willis throws a lazy right hand but Poddubny sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Willis doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Poddubny counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Willis wants to sweep here but Poddubny controlling him for the moment.
Poddubny slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Willis is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Poddubny's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Willis trying to keep a closed guard but Poddubny is proving a slippery customer.
Poddubny being controlled here momentarily.

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.
Willis wants to sweep here but Poddubny controlling him for the moment.
Willis is looking to stand up but Poddubny isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Willis looking to hit a scissor sweep but Poddubny is one step ahead there.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A punch lands to the side of Poddubny 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Some wild striking there from Willis.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poddubny looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Willis lands a nice shot that snaps Poddubny's head back.
Poddubny walks into a left hand.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Willis.
Poddubny takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Poddubny avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Poddubny shoots in for a takedown but Willis shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Poddubny. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Willis tries to clinch up but Poddubny circles away and keeps his distance.
Willis throws a head kick but Poddubny moves out of range.
Poddubny fails to land the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Patrick Willis showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ivan Poddubny's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Willis misses with a series of wild punches.
Willis misses with a low kick as Poddubny jumps back.
Poddubny shoots in but no luck this time.
Willis with a nice cross.
Willis tries to score a power double leg takedown but Poddubny sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Willis somewhat.
Willis tries to clinch

and Poddubny counters with a single leg into guard. Willis didn't expect that.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Willis can do anything to dispel that myth.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Poddubny trying to control but Willis is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Willis pulls Poddubny in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Willis is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Poddubny defends well.
Poddubny controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Willis is controlling Poddubny's posture.
Poddubny won't allow Willis to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Willis is pulling down on Poddubny's head to control his posture.
Ivan Poddubny overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Poddubny not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Ivan Poddubny has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Willis wants to sweep here but Poddubny controlling him for the moment.
Willis can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Poddubny controls the pace.
Patrick Willis 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 getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Willis wants to sweep here but Poddubny controlling him for the moment.
Willis trying to control the position here.
Willis is trying to control the position from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ivan Poddubny.
I think Willis has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Patrick Willis!