PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sam Chen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan IV (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chen's entrance music is Surfing with the Alien. A fine choice. Ivan IV has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Chen
vs
IV

180 cm
27
180 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

177 cm
20
180 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sam Chen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan IV!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Valeri Chadov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chen misses with a body shot.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts IV, as that shot connected.
IV throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Chen's waist but Chen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing IV off to one side.

IV pushes Chen up against the cage in a clinch.
IV lands a left hand.
A frustrated look appears on Chen's face as he tries to break the clinch.

IV manages to break the clinch.
IV punishes Chen's body with a nice straight punch.
Chen throws a lazy right hand but IV sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
IV fails with the takedown
and Chen counters with a straight right hand.
IV moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
IV shoots for a takedown but Chen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sam Chen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan IV.

IV closes the distance and clinches.
IV has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Chen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as IV takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
IV keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Chen's efforts to push away.

IV has Chen pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. IV pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Chen tumbling to the mat - IV dives into Chen's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
IV slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
IV postures up in Chen's guard and throws a big left but Chen blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

IV postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Chen is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of IV, into his guard.
Chen tries to stand but IV is controlling from the bottom.

Chen gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
IV staying out of range there.

Chen forces IV back against the cage and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
IV is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Chen is defending well for now.
IV keeps control of Chen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Chen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
IV cracks a nice hook into Chen's ribs.
Sam Chen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A punch combination from IV misses.
Chen throws a shot from downtown. IV moves away and avoids it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
IV looks for a takedown but Chen sprawls well.

Chen clinches with his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ivan IV will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

IV closes the distance and clinches.
IV tries for a takedown but Chen manages to get underhooks.
Chen is trying to break the clinch but IV is controlling him.
IV misses with a body punch.
Chen is trying to break free.
IV stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
IV goes for a takedown in the clinch but Chen prevents it.
IV tries to work over Chen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
IV is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Chen gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Sam Chen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan IV.

IV gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Chen regains guard.
IV sitting in guard, not really doing much.
IV advances position into side control!

IV decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chen drives through and clinches with IV against the cage.
IV tries for a takedown but Chen manages to get underhooks.
Chen wants to get back to striking at distance but IV won't allow it.
Chen looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
IV is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Chen gets underhooks to prevent IV's takedown attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Chen wants to get back to striking at distance but IV won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
IV misses with a body punch.
IV looking for a takedown.
IV tries a body shot but Chen blocks it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Chen.
IV goes for a takedown in the clinch but Chen prevents it.
IV dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, IV just misses with a elbow thrown towards Chen's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for IV.
IV misses with a punch to the body.
IV tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
The referee is keeping an eye on IV - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

IV's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ivan IV seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Chen just misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan IV showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

IV fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Chen, pushing him back against the cage.
Chen is pressed up against the cage. IV has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Chen down to the mat. Chen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Chen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. IV doesn't seem bothered though.
IV tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Chen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
IV ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
IV will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Chen has managed to clinch.
Chen tries to circle away but IV has him pinned against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
IV lands a body shot in the clinch.
IV working aggressively here.
Chen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but IV has him pressed against the cage.
Chen tries to circle away but IV has him pinned against the cage.
Chen can't break the clinch.
Chen is trying to force a seperation but IV has the dominant position.
IV has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Chen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sam Chen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan IV.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
IV lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Chen wants to break the clinch but can't.
Chen wants to break free but IV has control.
IV effectively controlling the action here.
IV prevents Chen from breaking the clinch.
IV is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

IV breaks the clinch.
Ivan IV is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
IV lands a slapping body shot.
IV thows a left - swing and a miss!
Chen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Chen wants it to stay on the feet.
IV tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Chen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
IV misses with a wild combination.
Ivan IV is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Chen has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
IV is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Chen is pressed up against the cage. IV has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Chen down to the mat. Chen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
IV tries to score a power double leg takedown but Chen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten IV somewhat.

Chen has managed to clinch.

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 Sam Chen.
I think IV 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29

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