PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Blagoi Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Blaine Romo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Ivanov
vs
Romo

180 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
21
213 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Prefers standup

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Blagoi Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Blaine Romo!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Colin Fray and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ivanov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Romo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ivanov somewhat.
Ivanov wants to clinch

and Romo counters with a crisp one two that drops Ivanov! Romo thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Ivanov to his feet! Ivanov is in big trouble!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Romo throws a hook but Ivanov blocks it.
Some wild striking there from Romo.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Ivanov is looking to clinch but Romo is avoiding it.
Sloppy strikes from Romo. Those never looked like landing.
Ivanov moves in looking to clinch but Romo pushes him off.
No joy there for Romo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ivanov shoots in for a takedown but Romo shows good takedown defense.
Romo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ivanov.
Romo misses with a low kick.
Ivanov could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Ivanov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Romo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ivanov tries to clinch but Romo is having none of it.
Romo circles away from the clinch attempt.

Ivanov moves into range and clinches up with Romo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Blagoi Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ivanov lands an elbow inside that Romo shrugs off.
Ivanov misses with an elbow over the top.
Romo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ivanov lands a nice elbow.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ivanov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Romo's brow.
Ivanov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Ivanov is looking for a takedown.
Romo tries to circle away but Ivanov has him pinned against the cage.
Ivanov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ivanov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ivanov misses with a knee strike.
Ivanov lands an elbow just above Romo 's eye.
Romo avoids a wild elbow strike from Ivanov.
Ivanov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Ivanov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Ivanov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Romo is defending well for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov lands an elbow inside.
Ivanov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Romo in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ivanov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Romo looks winded!
Romo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ivanov lands a nice elbow.
Romo tries a body shot but Ivanov blocks it.
Ivanov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Ivanov lands an elbow just above Romo 's eye.
Ivanov lands a nice knee to the body.
Ivanov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ivanov lands a damaging elbow.
Ivanov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Romo is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Romo misses with an elbow over the top.
Romo dodges an elbow strike from Ivanov.
Romo takes an elbow to the temple.
Ivanov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Nice elbow from Romo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ivanov tries to score a body lock takedown but Romo shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Romo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Romo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Romo is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ivanov misses with an elbow over the top.
Ivanov tries to land a knee to the head but Romo blocks with his arms.
Ivanov lands an elbow that stopped Romo in his tracks for a moment.
Ivanov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Romo.
Ivanov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Romo is defending well for now.
Ivanov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Romo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ivanov's elbow.
Romo misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Romo dodges an elbow strike from Ivanov.
Romo is trying to break the clinch but Ivanov is controlling him.
Romo throws an elbow that misses.
Ivanov misses with an elbow over the top.
Ivanov lands an elbow inside that Romo shrugs off.
Ivanov connects with a knee to the head.
Romo misses with a punch on the inside.
Romo dodges an elbow strike from Ivanov.
Romo gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ivanov.
With the fighters up against the cage, Romo throws an elbow but misses.
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!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ivanov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ivanov lands an elbow inside that Romo shrugs off.
Ivanov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Blagoi Ivanov 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.

Ivanov has a takedown stuffed.
Ivanov avoids a kick to the body.
Romo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ivanov.
Ivanov shoots in but Romo avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Blagoi Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Romo looks to throw the jab but Ivanov is out of range.
Romo misses with the combination.
Ivanov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ivanov tries to clinch up but Romo circles away and keeps his distance.
Ivanov doesn't manage to clinch there - Romo circles away.
Romo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ivanov.
Ivanov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Romo swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Romo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Ivanov takes the fight into the clinch.
Ivanov landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Romo is breathing heavily.
Romo blocks an elbow strike.
Ivanov misses with an elbow strike.
Ivanov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Romo prevents it.
Ivanov lands an elbow that stopped Romo in his tracks for a moment.
Romo stalling in the clinch but Ivanov improves position.
Romo takes an elbow to the forehead.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ivanov.
Ivanov is looking for a takedown.
Ivanov lands an elbow that stopped Romo in his tracks for a moment.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Romo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Romo takes an elbow to the temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romo trying to land knees to the body.
Ivanov with a knee to the head.
Ivanov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ivanov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ivanov lands an elbow inside that Romo shrugs off.
Ivanov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ivanov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Romo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Blagoi Ivanov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Romo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Romo has had enough of the clinch but Ivanov keeps him there for the moment.
Ivanov looking to throw knees to the head but Romo is blocking nicely.
Ivanov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Romo fights it off and pushes away nicely.
No joy there for Romo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Romo throws a leg kick but Ivanov sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Romo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Romo scores with a three punch combo!
Romo throws a jab when Ivanov was well out of range.
Blagoi Ivanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Romo tries to land a leg kick but Ivanov saw it coming and moves away.
Romo moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Ivanov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Romo as he jumps to the side.
Romo throws a shot from downtown. Ivanov moves away and avoids it.
A left and a right from Romo both land. Nice combination.
Ivanov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Romo.
Romo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Romo wants it to stay on the feet.
Romo cracks Ivanov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Romo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Ivanov rushes Romo and presses him up against the cage.
Romo looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romo has a couple of punches blocked by Ivanov.
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!
Romo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ivanov is defending well for now.
Ivanov lands an elbow that stopped Romo in his tracks for a moment.
Ivanov keeps control of Romo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ivanov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Romo's face.
Ivanov lands an elbow inside.
Ivanov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A short right from Romo on the inside.
Ivanov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Romo misses with a punch to the body.
Romo takes an elbow to the temple.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ivanov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Romo has a couple of punches blocked by Ivanov.
Ivanov prevents Romo from breaking the clinch.
Romo prevents the takedown attempt.
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 Blagoi Ivanov will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Romo throws a wild body kick that Ivanov sees coming a mile off.
Romo keeps the fight on the outside.
Ivanov wants to clinch up but Romo keeps it at a distance.
Ivanov wants to clinch up but Romo keeps it at a distance.
Ivanov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Romo.
Romo leaves Ivanov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Romo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Blaine Romo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ivanov wants to clinch.
Romo throws a leg kick but Ivanov moved away.
Romo throws a series of punches but Ivanov avoids them all with ease.
Romo misses with a head kick.
Romo fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ivanov is out of range.
Romo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ivanov is looking to clinch.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Ivanov. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Ivanov wants to clinch up but Romo keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romo misses with a few strikes there.
Ivanov tries to clinch up.
Ivanov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Romo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Romo throws a nice looking combination but Ivanov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ivanov wants to clinch up but Romo keeps it at a distance.
Romo throws a hook but Ivanov blocks it.
Romo misses with a few strikes there.
Ivanov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A head kick misses from Romo.

Ivanov takes the fight into the clinch.
Ivanov scores with a knee to the head.
Ivanov lands an elbow just above Romo 's eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Blagoi Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ivanov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Romo's defenses.
Ivanov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Romo's defenses.
A short right from Ivanov.
A nice left hand lands by Romo.
Ivanov tries to land a knee to the head but Romo blocks with his arms.
Romo avoids a wild elbow strike from Ivanov.
Ivanov lands a nice elbow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Romo gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ivanov.
Ivanov has Romo pressed against the cage, preventing Romo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Romo tries to throw a body punch but Ivanov avoids it by throwing Romo back against the cage.
Romo is trying to force a seperation but Ivanov has the dominant position.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Romo just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ivanov's brow.
Ivanov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Romo's defenses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Romo's efforts to push away.
With the fighters up against the cage, Ivanov throws an elbow but misses.
Ivanov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Romo gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ivanov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ivanov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Romo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ivanovs head.
Romo misses with the head strike.
Romo blocks an elbow strike from Ivanov.
Ivanov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Romo is defending well.
Romo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Romo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Romo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Romo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ivanov managing to block the knees to the body from Romo.
Blaine Romo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romo blocks an elbow strike from Ivanov.
Ivanov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Romo lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Ivanov pushes off an throws an elbow but Romo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Romo blocks the elbow strike.
Ivanov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Ivanov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Romo misses with an elbow over the top.
Romo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ivanov's elbow.
Romo tries a knee to the head but Ivanov blocks it.
Romo throws a punch but it's blocked by Ivanov.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ivanov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Romo's brow.
With the fighters up against the cage, Ivanov throws an elbow but misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ivanov blocks an uppercut.
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 blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Romo lands a left hand.
Blagoi Ivanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Romo stalling in the clinch but Ivanov improves position.

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 Blagoi Ivanov.
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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 30:27
Judge Josh West scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Blagoi Ivanov!