PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Iosif Dzugashavili (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Iosif Dzugashavili has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Dzugashavili
vs
Ivanov

190 cm
26
280 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

193 cm
22
265 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Prefers standup

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Iosif Dzugashavili!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Ivanov!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Fedor Mirinova and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dzugashavili swings away with a body shot that misses
enabling Ivanov to counter with a crisp jab.
Ivanov tries to clinch up but Dzugashavili circles away and keeps his distance.
Dzugashavili misses with a hook to the body
and Ivanov counters with a low kick, right behind Dzugashavili 's knee.
Dzugashavili throws a lazy uppercut
and Ivanov counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Ivanov tries to clinch there but Dzugashavili circles away.
Dzugashavili with a poor takedown

and Ivanov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ivanov.
The referee is keeping an eye on Ivanov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Ivanov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Dzugashavili tries for a takedown but Ivanov manages to get underhooks.
Ivanov with a knee to the head.

It looks like Iosif Dzugashavili has been cut.
Dzugashavili takes an elbow to the forehead.
Dzugashavili tries to pull guard but Ivanov won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Iosif Dzugashavili. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dzugashavili tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ivanov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Dzugashavili wants a takedown.

Dzugashavili has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ivanov uses from the top position.
Dzugashavili wants to sweep but no luck.
Ivanov wants to stand but Dzugashavili is controlling his posture from full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ivanov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ivanov trying to control but Dzugashavili is working from the bottom.
Dzugashavili is striking off his back. Ivanov thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Dzugashavili regains full guard. Nicely done.
Dzugashavili tries to strike from the bottom.

Dzugashavili looking for a guillotine here but Ivanov defends easily.
Ivanov wants to stand but Dzugashavili is controlling his posture from full guard.
Dzugashavili keeping full guard, as Ivanov tries to pass.

That's two 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.
Dzugashavili wants to sweep here but Ivanov controlling him for the moment.

Dzugashavili looking for a guillotine here but Ivanov defends easily.
Dzugashavili wants to get back to his feet but Ivanov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Ivanov gets to his feet - Dzugashavili follows without any prompting.
Dzugashavili falls off balance throwing a combination
and Ivanov makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Dzugashavili's head.
Dzugashavili misses with a double jab
and Ivanov counters with a body kick that stops Dzugashavili in his tracks momentarily.
Ivanov thumps Dzugashavili with a low kick.

Ivanov darts in and clinches Dzugashavili up against the cage.
Dzugashavili jumps guard but Ivanov stands there with Dzugashavili around his waist. Dzugashavili gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ivanov prevents the takedown attempt.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Ivanov landing knees to the head.
Ivanov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Iosif Dzugashavili's cut is getting worse.
Dzugashavili is breathing heavily.
Ivanov lands a good knee to the midsection. Dzugashavili won't want to take too many of those.
Dzugashavili throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ivanov blocks it with crossed arms.
Ivanov lands a knee to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ivanov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Dzugashavili up against the cage.
Ivanov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Dzugashavili in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Dzugashavili takes an elbow to the temple.
Ivanov unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Ivanov.
The crowd are getting on Ivanov's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Nice elbow from Ivanov.

Iosif Dzugashavili's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Ivanov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ivanov is pushing Dzugashavili up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Ivanov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Ivanov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Dzugashavili up against the cage.
Dzugashavili managing to block the knees to the body from Ivanov.
Dzugashavili wants to break free but Ivanov has control.
Ivanov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Dzugashavili drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ivanov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ivanov tries to close the distance and clinch but Dzugashavili swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ivanov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Dzugashavili manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Dzugashavili throws a left and a right that both miss

and Ivanov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Ivanov scores a nice knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Ivanov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Iosif Dzugashavili'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.

Ivanov wants to clinch.
Dzugashavili misses with a takedown
and Ivanov counters with a thumping low kick.
Ivanov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dzugashavili.
Ivanov wants to clinch but Dzugashavili slips to the side

and Dzugashavili counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Dzugashavili trying to control the action but Ivanov is working from the bottom.
Ivanov is trying to control but can't.
Dzugashavili throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ivanov is trying to get back to full guard.
Dzugashavili is keen to just control but Ivanov is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Dzugashavili trying to mount his opponent but Ivanov defends it.
Dzugashavili stops Ivanov from getting back to his feet.
Ivanov is refusing to be controlled, as Dzugashavili sits in half guard.
Ivanov is looking to improve his position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Dzugashavili gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Ivanov moves into the clinch.
Alexander Ivanov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ivanov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Ivanov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ivanov tries to land a knee to the head but Dzugashavili blocks with his arms.
Ivanov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Ivanov trying to stall but Dzugashavili improves his position.
Ivanov is breathing heavily.
Ivanov stops a takedown attempt from Dzugashavili.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Iosif Dzugashavili. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ivanov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Dzugashavili pulls Ivanov into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ivanov stopping the sweep attempt from Dzugashavili.
Dzugashavili working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ivanov.
Dzugashavili trying to strike off his back.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Dzugashavili holds on and takes a little breather.
Dzugashavili is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Ivanov is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dzugashavili is trying to control the action in half guard but Ivanov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Ivanov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Dzugashavili wants to pass the guard but Ivanov is defending well.
Ivanov is trying to get back to full guard.
Dzugashavili drops an elbow to the side of Ivanov's head.

Dzugashavili is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Dzugashavili with the ground and pound but Ivanov uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Dzugashavili stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ivanov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Dzugashavili wants to control from the top but Ivanov keeps moving.
Dzugashavili is looking to advance position but Ivanov has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Dzugashavili 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.
Dzugashavili is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ivanov controlling the pace.
Ivanov is thwarting Dzugashavili's attempts to control the position.
Dzugashavili is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iosif Dzugashavili dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Iosif Dzugashavili's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Dzugashavili tries for a takedown but Ivanov circles away easily
and Ivanov counters with an inside leg kick.
Ivanov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Dzugashavili has his takedown stuffed
and Ivanov counters with a body kick that stops Dzugashavili in his tracks momentarily.
Dzugashavili doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Ivanov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ivanov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Iosif Dzugashavili. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Dzugashavili as Ivanov tries to tie him up.
Dzugashavili drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ivanov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Dzugashavili takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Iosif Dzugashavili is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ivanov thumps Dzugashavili with a low kick.
Dzugashavili misses with a body shot
and Ivanov counters with a slapping leg kick.
Dzugashavili swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Ivanov counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov scoring well with a low kick there.
Ivanov doesn't manage to clinch there - Dzugashavili circles away.
Nice body kick from Ivanov.

Ivanov darts in and clinches Dzugashavili up against the cage.
Ivanov lands a nice knee to the body.
Ivanov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Dzugashavili takes a knee to the side of the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dzugashavili takes a knee right on the jaw!
Ivanov lands a good knee to the midsection. Dzugashavili won't want to take too many of those.
Ivanov working Dzugashavili over with knees to the body.
Ivanov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Dzugashavili in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Ivanov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Dzugashavili in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Ivanov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Dzugashavili in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Ivanov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Dzugashavili fails to pull guard.
Knees in the clinch landing for Ivanov.
Dzugashavili takes an elbow to the forehead.
Ivanov landing knees to the head.
Dzugashavili will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Ivanov lands a damaging elbow.

Jeez, Iosif Dzugashavili's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Dzugashavili misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dzugashavili tries to pull guard but Ivanov won't allow it.
Ivanov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Stalling in the clinch from Ivanov.
Ivanov continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Ivanov has Dzugashavili pressed against the cage, preventing Dzugashavili from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Dzugashavili jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ivanov walks away with a smile on his face. Dzugashavili gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Dzugashavili is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Dzugashavili swats away the attempt to clinch by Ivanov.
Dzugashavili misses with a double jab

and Ivanov counters by moving into the clinch.
Ivanov connects with a knee to the head.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Iosif Dzugashavili's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:53 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Alexander Ivanov!