PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nicolas Acosta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Ovechkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Acosta comes to the cage accompanied by HOO Bangin. Ivan Ovechkin has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Nicolas Acosta's chin.

Acosta
vs
Ovechkin

180 cm
28
179 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

180 cm
28
177 lbs
11 - 13 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nicolas Acosta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ivan Ovechkin!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, George Francis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ovechkin feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Acosta is looking for a triangle but Ovechkin pushes his legs off easily.
Ovechkin sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Acosta's guard.

Acosta looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Acosta tries to roll over but Ovechkin keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ovechkin trying to pass the guard but Acosta defending well.

Acosta is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ovechkin pulls his head out easily.
Ovechkin is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Acosta looking for submissions off his back.
Acosta is not content to let Ovechkin control the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Acosta looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ovechkin landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Acosta looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Acosta is breathing heavily.

Acosta has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Ovechkin escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Ovechkin!
Ovechkin working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Acosta is being controlled here.
Acosta is not content to let Ovechkin control the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ovechkin controls the position.
Acosta is looking to regain half guard here but Ovechkin keeps moving and retains side control.
Acosta manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Acosta misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Ovechkin takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ovechkin slips a nice elbow through Acosta's hands, connecting with Acosta's forehead.
Ovechkin seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ovechkin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Acosta does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ovechkin working over Acosta with some ground and pound. Acosta looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Acosta throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Ovechkin drops an elbow to the side of Acosta's head.
Ovechkin trying to control the action but Acosta is working from the bottom.
Ovechkin passes the guard and advances to mount!
Acosta taking shots to the head.
A nice elbow there by Ovechkin.
Acosta wants to hold on but Ovechkin pushes him away.
Ovechkin is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Ovechkin looking to finish Acosta with some ground and pound. This is bad for Acosta!
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!
Ovechkin dominating with strikes here.
Acosta wants to hold on but Ovechkin pushes him away.
Acosta sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ovechkin working over Acosta with some ground and pound. Acosta looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Ovechkin seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Acosta is looking to improve his position.
Ovechkin wants to control but Acosta is keeping him busy.

Acosta looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Acosta is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ovechkin scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ovechkin blocks the strikes from Acosta.

Acosta looking for submissions off his back.
Ovechkin is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Ground and pound from Ovechkin.
Acosta wants to improve his position but Ovechkin is controlling well.
Ground and pound from Ovechkin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Acosta missing with punches from the bottom.
Ovechkin drops an elbow to the side of Acosta's head.
Acosta is staying active underneath Ovechkin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Acosta on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Acosta is not content to let Ovechkin control the position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ovechkin lands a nice short elbow.
Acosta taking some punishment here, with Ovechkin in his half guard.
Ovechkin lands strikes from half guard.

Acosta is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ovechkin pulls his head out easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Acosta is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ovechkin trying to control the action but Acosta is working from the bottom.
Ovechkin wants to free his trapped foot but Acosta is holding on for dear life with his legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ovechkin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Acosta but Acosta pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Acosta gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ovechkin looking for a takedown.
Ovechkin drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Acosta gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Nicolas Acosta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Ovechkin.
Acosta lands a good knee to the midsection. Ovechkin won't want to take too many of those.
With the fighters up against the cage, Acosta throws an elbow but misses.
Acosta has Ovechkin pressed against the cage.
Acosta throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ovechkin changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Acosta fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ovechkin shoots in and drives through. Acosta sprawls well.
Ovechkin is breathing heavily.
Acosta tries to close the distance and clinch but Ovechkin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ovechkin looks for a takedown but Acosta sprawls well.
Ovechkin throws a body punch but Acosta moves out of range.
Acosta slips a jab and a cross from Ovechkin.
Acosta slips a jab from Ovechkin.
Ovechkin changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Acosta tries to avoid it but Ovechkin manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Acosta to the ground. Acosta escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ovechkin has a takedown stuffed.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Acosta connects with a knee to the head.
Acosta with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Acosta tries to land a knee to the head but Ovechkin blocks with his arms.
Acosta tries to land a knee to the head but Ovechkin blocks with his arms.
Ovechkin goes for a takedown in the clinch but Acosta prevents it.
Acosta trying to land knees to the body.
Acosta lands a knee to the body.
Acosta holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Nice elbow from Acosta.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Acosta escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ovechkin gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Acosta can't keep his opponent in guard - Ovechkin advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Acosta is staying active underneath Ovechkin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Acosta actively working from the bottom here.
Acosta is trying to control but can't.
Ovechkin slips a nice elbow through Acosta's hands, connecting with Acosta's forehead.
Acosta tries to roll over but Ovechkin keeps him under control.
Ovechkin lands strikes from half guard.
Ovechkin has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Acosta is trying desperately to improve position.
Ovechkin landing strikes, looking to finish!
Ovechkin prevents Acosta from getting the reversal.
Ovechkin looking to finish Acosta with some ground and pound. This is bad for Acosta!
Ovechkin landing strikes from the mount and Acosta is in trouble!
Acosta working to try and regain half guard.
Ovechkin cracks Acosta with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Ovechkin prevents Acosta from getting the reversal.
Ovechkin looking to control and managing it successfully.
Ovechkin lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Acosta is squirming around, avoiding Ovechkin's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ivan Ovechkin will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Ovechkin is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Acosta's half guard.

Acosta looking for submissions off his back.

Acosta looking for submissions off his back.
Ovechkin working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ovechkin lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Ovechkin stands up and beckons Acosta to join him on the feet.
A jab from Ovechkin finds it's way through Acosta's defenses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ovechkin tries for a takedown but Acosta sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Acosta shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ovechkin as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Acosta dodges the punch combination from Ovechkin.

Ovechkin closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Acosta is trying to control Ovechkin's posture but Ovechkin avoids it.
Acosta tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ovechkin wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Ovechkin is looking to take a break and control but Acosta is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Acosta struggling a bit here.
Ovechkin in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Ovechkin lands a decent elbow from side control.
Ovechkin lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Acosta is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Ovechkin fails with the takedown

and Acosta counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Acosta misses with a knee strike.
Nicolas Acosta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ovechkin wants a takedown.
Nicolas Acosta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Ovechkin.
Acosta slows down the pace here.
Acosta tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Acosta connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ovechkin's face.
Acosta looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Acosta missing with knees to the body.
Ivan Ovechkin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Acosta misses with a knee strike.
Ovechkin has Acosta pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Acosta manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ovechkin wants a takedown but no success here.
Acosta throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ovechkin blocks it with crossed arms.
Acosta lands a knee to the head.
Acosta keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ovechkin's efforts to push away.
Acosta misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ovechkin.
Ovechkin avoiding damage as Acosta throws knees to the body.
Acosta with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ovechkin wants a takedown.
Acosta scores with a knee to the head.
Acosta misses with a knee to the head.
Acosta landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Acosta tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ovechkin avoids it.
Acosta with a knee to the head.
Acosta controlling the action here for a moment.
Acosta gets underhooks to prevent Ovechkin's takedown attempt.
Acosta lands an elbow that stopped Ovechkin in his tracks for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Ovechkin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ovechkin winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Ovechkin!