PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Ali (ranked 4201 p4p, 3545 weight class) and Blagoy Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Blagoy Ivanov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ali
vs
Ivanov

177 cm
19
221
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
257
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Mike Ali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Blagoy Ivanov!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Atkins and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ali uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ivanov has time to react.
Ivanov moves in looking to clinch but Ali pushes him off.

Ali forces Ivanov back against the cage and clinches.

Ali's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ivanov moves in looking to clinch but Ali pushes him off.
Ivanov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ali sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ivanov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ali shoots in but no luck this time.
Ivanov is looking to clinch.
Ali will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ivanov throws out a loose jab but Ali uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ivanov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ali changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Mike Ali has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blagoy Ivanov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ali tries for a takedown but Ivanov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ivanov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ali counters with a one-two to the body.
Ali shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ivanov eats them both and turns towards Ali to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ivanov with a lazy takedown attempt

and Ali counters by clinching up.
Ivanov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Ali to keep the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov working hard to break the clinch.

Ali escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Ali closes the distance and pushes Ivanov back into the cage.
Ali fails to pull the fight into his guard.
With the fighters up against the cage, Ivanov throws an elbow but misses.
Ali could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Ali jumps guard and drags Ivanov to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Ali keeping moving, preventing Ivanov from controlling successfully.

Ali escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ivanov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ali knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ivanov on the ground.
Ali pulls Ivanov in close to prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali wants to hit a sweep here but Ivanov passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Ali there!
Ali is in all sorts of trouble here.
Ali is working hard here to advance position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Ivanov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

It looks like Mike Ali has been cut.
Ali is breathing heavily.

Ivanov working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Ali is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Ivanov working for a guillotine from mount but Ali is in no mood to give up.
Ivanov is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Ali can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Ivanov looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Ivanov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Ivanov lands a big shot there that rocks Ali but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Ali is rocked!
We've been informed that Ivanov has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov postures up and throws a couple of big shots that have Ali in real trouble here! The ref calls for Ali to improve his position which he doesn't do, so the referee has no choice but to end the fight due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Blagoy Ivanov!