PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sam Samuels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anatoliy Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Samuels
vs
Ivanov

188 cm
23
212 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

186 cm
18
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Tends to cut

Nancy Botwin's Herbal Nutritions

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sam Samuels!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Anatoliy Ivanov!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Hirohito Nitta and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Samuels throws a hook but Ivanov blocks it.

Samuels closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Samuels lands in his opponent's guard.
Ivanov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ivanov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Samuels slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Samuels wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ivanov keeps working.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Samuels has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samuels tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Ivanov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Samuels. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Samuels trying to control the position but Ivanov is working away.
Samuels has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Ivanov!

Samuels has control of Ivanov's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Ivanov regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Ivanov is trying to escape the mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Samuels takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's two 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.
Ivanov tries to hold on but Samuels pushes him away.
Samuels content just to control the position here.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Sam Samuels just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Ivanov is looking to clinch but Samuels is avoiding it.
Ivanov walks into a jab.

It looks like Anatoliy Ivanov has been cut.
Samuels shoots for a takedown but Ivanov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Samuels has closed the distance and engaged Ivanov in a clinch.
Ivanov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ivanov fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Ivanov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ivanov throws a sloppy head kick and Samuels moves out of range easily.

Samuels takes the fight into the clinch.
Ivanov stalling in the clinch but Samuels improves position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov can't get the takedown.
Samuels will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Ivanov up against the cage.

Samuels drags the fight down to the ground.
Samuels lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Ivanov!
Samuels takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Samuels looking to secure an arm triangle but Ivanov defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samuels looking to control and managing it successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ivanov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Samuels's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Samuels seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Ivanov for as long as he can get away with.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Samuels dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Anatoliy Ivanov's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Samuels feints and as Ivanov raises his hands in defense, Samuels changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Samuels seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Sam Samuels just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Samuels throws a looping overhand right but Ivanov ducks down to avoid it.
Ivanov walks into a left hand.
Samuels swinging wilding here.
Samuels thuds a left hand into Ivanov's body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Samuels fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ivanov, pushing him back against the cage.

Samuels breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ivanov is breathing heavily.

Samuels moves into range and clinches up with Ivanov.
Ivanov wants a takedown.

Samuels turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Samuels takes a little break here. Ivanov wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Samuels advances to full mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samuels looking to control and managing it successfully.

Samuels working for a submission here. He's tucked his head under his opponent's arm, looking for an arm triangle. He's hopped off into side control, looking to tighten the submission... is it going to work? He's given up a good position looking for it. Ivanov looks OK. Oh, I spoke too soon, he's out! That must have been tighter than I thought! Excellent work there by Samuels! Submission of the night perhaps?

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:37 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Sam Samuels!