PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Ivanov (ranked 6257 p4p, 4654 weight class) and Toktogulovich Bakiyev (ranked 560 p4p, 470 weight class). Ivan Ivanov is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Ivanov
vs
Bakiyev

170 cm
27
155
8 - 11 - 0

171 cm
46
163
39 - 50 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Glomco Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 50 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Toktogulovich Bakiyev!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ivanov rushes Bakiyev and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ivanov struggles to land a body shot inside as Bakiyev controls his hands.
Ivanov trying to land knees to the body.
Bakiyev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ivanov has him pressed against the cage.
Ivanov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bakiyev's efforts to push away.

Ivanov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ivanov lands a nice hook to Bakiyev's body. Bakiyev takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ivanov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Bakiyev looks to score with a jab to the body but Ivanov is just out of range.
Ivanov goes for a double leg but Bakiyev avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Bakiyev continues to drive forward.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ivanov clobbers Bakiyev with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Bakiyev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ivanov tries to clinch up.

Ivanov drives through and clinches with Bakiyev against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov controlling the action here for a moment.

Bakiyev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ivanov dives in for a single leg takedown but Bakiyev sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Ivanov pushes Bakiyev up against the cage in a clinch.
Bakiyev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ivanov has him pressed against the cage.
Ivanov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Ivanov breaks the clinch.
Bakiyev looks to throw the jab but Ivanov is out of range.
Ivanov tries to counter with a takedown but Bakiyev is quick to defend against it.
Ivanov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov throws a series of punches but Bakiyev avoids them all with ease.

Ivanov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Bakiyev did well to prevent Ivanov getting side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ivanov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Ivanov connects with a nice short shot to Bakiyev's temple.
Ivanov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bakiyev has hold of Ivanov's hands but Ivanov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ivanov prevents Bakiyev from standing back up.
Ivanov trying to mount his opponent but Bakiyev defends it.
Ivanov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bakiyev defending well though.

Ivanov decides to stand up.
Bakiyev pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ivanov wants to clinch.
Bakiyev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A jab from Ivanov finds it's way through Bakiyev's defenses.
Ivanov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ivanov swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Ivanov has Bakiyev up against the cage in a clinch.
Bakiyev is looking to break free of the clinch but Ivanov has double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bakiyev wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ivanov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bakiyev's efforts to push away.
Ivanov wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ivanov tries to land knees in the clinch but Bakiyev avoids the damage to the body.
Ivanov can't get the takedown.

Bakiyev manages to break the clinch.
Ivanov tests Bakiyev's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ivanov tries to clinch up.
Ivanov tries to close the distance and clinch but Bakiyev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Ivanov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bakiyev looks to score with a jab to the body but Ivanov is just out of range.
Ivanov tries to counter with a takedown but Bakiyev is quick to defend against it.
Ivanov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bakiyev can do to turn this around?
Bakiyev just misses with a punch to the body.
Bakiyev missing with a left hand there. Ivanov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Ivanov gets the takedown into side control.
Ivanov happy to just control the position for now.
Bakiyev is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Ivanov has just dragged him back down to the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ivanov decides to stand up, so the ref orders Bakiyev to his feet.
A jab from Bakiyev misses.
Ivan Ivanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ivanov moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov pushes Bakiyev back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ivanov is trying to pull guard but Bakiyev turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ivanov goes for a takedown attempt but Bakiyev pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Ivanov moves into the clinch successfully.
Ivanov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ivanov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ivan Ivanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bakiyev throws a body punch but Ivanov moves out of range.

Ivanov gets a clinch.
Ivanov goes for a takedown attempt but Bakiyev pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov throws a jab when Bakiyev was well out of range.
Ivan Ivanov is winning the standup battle so far.
Bakiyev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ivanov.
Ivanov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Bakiyev sprawls and moves away.
Bakiyev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ivanov.
Ivanov misses with a body shot
and Bakiyev counters with a stiff right hand.
Ivanov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bakiyev but Bakiyev pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ivanov fails in his attempt to clinch.

Bakiyev gets tackled into the cage by Ivanov. Ivanov maintains the clinch.

Ivanov pulls guard successfully.
Bakiyev would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov has control of Bakiyev's left arm, preventing Bakiyev from doing any damage.
Ivanov wants to stand up but Bakiyev is controlling him.
Ivanov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bakiyev is one step ahead there.
Bakiyev wanted to stand there but Ivanov had control of the position.
Ivanov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Ivanov continues to stall.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

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.

Ivanov moves into the clinch.
Bakiyev wants to get back to striking at distance but Ivanov won't allow it.
Ivanov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bakiyev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Bakiyev's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Bakiyev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ivanov closes the distance and clinches up with Bakiyev, looking for a takedown. Ivanov pushes Bakiyev against the cage but Bakiyev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Ivanov gets a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bakiyev prevents the takedown attempt.

Bakiyev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bakiyev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ivan Ivanov will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Ivanov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bakiyev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ivanov blocks a jab.
Bakiyev swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Ivanov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ivanov.

Bakiyev is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Ivanov presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Ivanov tries to pull guard but Bakiyev won't allow it.
Bakiyev has had enough of the clinch but Ivanov keeps him there for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ivanov has Bakiyev pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Bakiyev manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Bakiyev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ivanov has him pressed against the cage.
Ivanov tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bakiyev is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bakiyev breaks the clinch.

Ivanov rushes Bakiyev and presses him up against the cage.

Ivanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Ivanov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ivanov wants a takedown but no success here.
Ivanov is trying to drag Bakiyev to the mat but Bakiyev just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Ivanov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ivanov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bakiyev.
Bakiyev lands an overhand right.
Bakiyev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ivanov looks for a takedown but Bakiyev sprawls well.
Bakiyev throws a lazy right hand but Ivanov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ivan Ivanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ivanov tries to move into range but Bakiyev moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Ivanov closes the distance and clinches up with Bakiyev, looking for a takedown. Ivanov pushes Bakiyev against the cage but Bakiyev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Ivanov clinches.
Ivanov struggles to land a body shot inside as Bakiyev controls his hands.
Ivanov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bakiyev is defending well for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov fails to pull guard.
Good body shot from Ivanov.

Bakiyev breaks from the clinch.
Ivanov moves away from the strike by Bakiyev.
Ivanov slips under a jab.
Ivanov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bakiyev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ivanov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bakiyev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ivanov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bakiyev swivels and escapes.
Ivanov lands a jab-cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Bakiyev. Beautiful body shot.
Ivanov wants to clinch up but Bakiyev keeps it at a distance.
Ivanov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bakiyev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ivanov is looking to clinch.
Bakiyev misses with a wild body shot.
Bakiyev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ivanov.

Ivanov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ivanov stalls.
Toktogulovich Bakiyev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Ivanov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Toktogulovich Bakiyev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ivanov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Ivanov!
After winning the bout, Ivan Ivanov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.