PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Josh Iverson (ranked 4797 p4p, 4730 weight class) and Jimmy Williams (ranked 401 p4p, 398 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Iverson
vs
Williams

184 cm
18
155
1 - 0 - 0

172 cm
18
155
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Josh Iverson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jimmy Williams!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Dmitry Maklakov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Iverson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Iverson misses with the combination.
Williams raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Williams takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Williams drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

It looks like Jimmy Williams has been cut.
Williams walks into a straight right hand from Iverson.
Iverson blocks a head kick by Williams.

Williams forces Iverson back against the cage and clinches.
Williams effectively controlling the action here.
Iverson is looking to control Williams's arms but Williams gets an underhook and turns him. Now Iverson has his back to the cage.
Iverson is trying to maintain a safe position but Williams gets an underhook and turns Iverson into the cage.
A short right from Williams on the inside.
Williams lands a nice uppercut.
Williams misses with some punches.
A body shot lands from Williams.
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!
A short left from Williams.
Williams pressing his opponent against the cage.
Williams working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Williams misses with a punch on the inside.
Iverson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Williams on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Williams as Iverson tries to tie him up.
Iverson blocks a body shot from Williams.
Williams holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Williams pressing his opponent against the cage.
Williams just leaning against Iverson, taking a breather.
Iverson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Iverson.

That's two 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.
Williams effectively controlling the action here.
Iverson looking to slow down the pace here.
The referee calls for Williams to work.
Williams lands with a short shot to the head.
Iverson looking to stall.
Williams struggles to land a body shot inside as Iverson controls his hands.
Iverson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Iverson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Williams.
Iverson taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Josh Iverson.
Williams bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Iverson throws a left and a right that both miss

and Williams counters by clinching up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williams is leaning against Iverson and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A short left from Williams.
Williams swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Iverson misses with some punches.
Williams stalling in the clinch.
Iverson prevents a body shot from Williams.
Williams swings wildly with an uppercut but Iverson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Williams lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Williams.
Williams cracks Iverson with a nice body shot.
Williams lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Iverson backwards.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Williams.
Iverson tries to stall but Williams uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Williams makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Williams scores with a shot to the side of Iverson's head.
Williams tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Williams tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Iverson's elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iverson has a couple of punches blocked by Williams.
Williams can't find room to land a body shot as Iverson controls the action.
Williams holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Iverson wants to stall.
Iverson taking a breather.
Iverson can't seem to implement his control oriented gameplan at the moment. That's no bad thing of course, for those of us who want to see a good fight.
A short uppercut from Williams.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Iverson has a couple of punches blocked by Williams.
Iverson taking a breather.
Williams lands a hook that snaps the head of Iverson backwards.
Williams misses with a body punch.
Iverson stalling in the clinch but Williams improves position.
Iverson prevents a body shot from Williams.
Williams doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stalling in the clinch from Williams.
Iverson definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Williams goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Iverson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Williams dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jimmy Williams's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Iverson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Iverson fails to land with a series of punches.
The fighters circle momentarily. Iverson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Iverson is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Williams throws a leg kick which misses Iverson's front leg but catches the back leg as Iverson tries to avoid it.

Williams rushes Iverson and presses him up against the cage.
Iverson stalling in the clinch but Williams improves position.
Iverson tries to land knees in the clinch but Williams avoids the damage to the body.
Iverson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Williams is keeping busy.
Williams presses Iverson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Williams digs a right hand underneath Iverson's ribcage. Iverson let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Williams lands a left hand that snaps the head of Iverson backwards.
Iverson blocks a body shot from Williams.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Iverson tries to stall but Williams uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Williams gets through Iverson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Williams has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Williams stalls.
Williams misses with a punch on the inside.
Williams lands a right hand that snaps the head of Iverson backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams tries to work over Iverson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Williams gets through Iverson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Iverson taking a breather.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Williams in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Williams as Iverson tries to tie him up.
Iverson blocks an uppercut.
Williams lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Iverson stalling in the clinch but Williams improves position.
Iverson prevents a body shot from Williams.
Iverson taking a breather.
Williams lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Iverson backwards.
Williams struggles to land a body shot inside as Iverson controls his hands.
Williams tries to work over Iverson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Williams lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Williams stalling against the cage.
Iverson is trying to maintain a safe position but Williams gets an underhook and turns Iverson into the cage.
Iverson is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Williams working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Iverson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A nice left hand lands by Williams.
Williams works on Iverson's body with a couple of short punches.
Iverson taking a breather.
Williams lands a right hand.
Iverson is trying to stall.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Williams as Iverson tries to tie him up.
Maybe Iverson would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Josh Iverson.
Williams ducks under a wild hook from Iverson.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Iverson missing with a left hand there. Williams was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Williams only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Iverson lands a really nice looking cross but Williams seems unphased.

Williams has closed the distance and engaged Iverson in a clinch.
Iverson trying to control the position but instead, Williams has worked for underhooks and has pushed Iverson into the cage.
Williams tries to work over Iverson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iverson misses with a short punch on the inside.
The referee calls for Williams to work.
Williams lands with a left to the head.
Williams tries a body shot but Iverson blocks it.
Williams has a couple of punches blocked by Iverson.
Iverson taking a breather.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Williams misses with a punch on the inside.
Williams lands a nice uppercut.
Iverson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Williams misses with a body punch.
Iverson looking to stall.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Williams goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams tries to work over Iverson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Iverson looking to slow down the pace here.
Iverson looking to stall.
Iverson is looking to control Williams's arms but Williams gets an underhook and turns him. Now Iverson has his back to the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Josh Iverson.
Iverson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Williams goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Iverson misses with a straight right.
Williams steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Williams connects with an inside leg kick.
Williams on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Iverson throws the left hand but Williams avoids the punch easily.
Williams connects with a leg kick.
Iverson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A big left from Iverson misses.
Iverson throws a body shot but no joy.
Iverson missing with a left hand there. Williams was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Iverson loads up on a big right hand but Williams slips the punch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Williams showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jimmy Williams'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!

Williams looks to land a combination but Iverson avoids it well.
Williams moves out of range of the strikes.
Josh Iverson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Williams takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Iverson blocks a head kick by Williams.
Josh Iverson is winning the standup battle so far.
Williams defending well as Iverson loads up on a big left hand.
Iverson throws a looping overhand right but Williams ducks down to avoid it.
Iverson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Iverson throws the left hand but Williams avoids the punch easily.
Iverson throws out a loose jab but Williams uses good head movement to avoid it.
Iverson lands with an uppercut that bounces Williams off the cage and back into range.
Iverson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Williams.
Williams ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Iverson misses.
Iverson fails to land with a series of punches.
Williams counters with a body kick.
Iverson lands a jab to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Iverson throws a right hand that Williams ducks under and follows up with a left that Williams also avoids with ease.
Iverson looks to throw the jab but Williams is out of range.
Williams avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iverson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Williams.
Williams dodges the punch combination from Iverson.
Iverson swings widly with a right hand
and Williams counters with an inside leg kick.
Williams throws a sloppy head kick and Iverson moves out of range easily.
Williams thumps Iverson with a low kick.
Williams throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Iverson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Williams throws a hook but Iverson blocks it.
Crunch! Williams slams his shin into Iverson's torso.
Williams displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Iverson throws out the jab.
Williams replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Iverson blocks it well.
Iverson loads up on a big right hand but Williams slips the punch.
Williams is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
A big right from Iverson misses.
Williams is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Williams clinches up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Iverson being controlled against the cage.
Williams misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Iverson is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Good body shot from Williams.
Iverson stalling in the clinch but Williams improves position.
Williams lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Williams stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Iverson tries to stall but Williams uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Iverson is looking to control Williams's arms but Williams gets an underhook and turns him. Now Iverson has his back to the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Josh Iverson.
Iverson looks to throw the jab but Williams is out of range.
Iverson sets himself, and Williams steps forward looking for the clinch! Iverson avoids it this time.
Iverson lands a head shot.
Iverson works the jab nicely.
Iverson is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Iverson as he connects with a hook.
Iverson connects with a body shot.
Iverson misses with a double jab

and Williams counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Nice body punch from Williams.
Williams stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Williams controlling the action here for a moment.
Williams blocking some punches.
Iverson taking a breather.
A right hand to the body from Williams.
Williams misses with a short punch on the inside.
Jimmy Williams seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Williams as Iverson tries to tie him up.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Jimmy Williams is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Williams lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Iverson backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams displaying some good clinch control by pressing Iverson up against the cage.
Williams goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Iverson tries to stall but Williams uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Williams can't find room to land a body shot as Iverson controls the action.
Williams doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Williams lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Iverson backwards.
A short right from Williams on the inside.
Williams throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Iversons head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Williams will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Iverson up against the cage.
Williams avoiding damage.
The crowd are getting on Williams's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the 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 Josh Iverson.
I think Williams 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jimmy Williams!