PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kosta Ivanoff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ivanoff
vs
Jones

186 cm
20
225 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

197 cm
23
262 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kosta Ivanoff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marcus Jones!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Igor Prikhodko and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ivanoff drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Ivanoff prevents Jones from getting back to his feet.
Jones working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ivanoff.

Jones throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Jones wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Jones not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ivanoff prevents Jones from getting back to his feet.

Jones is looking for a triangle but Ivanoff pushes his legs off easily.
Jones trying to keep a closed guard but Ivanoff is proving a slippery customer.
Ivanoff might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanoff missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ivanoff wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.
Jones wants to stand up but Ivanoff is controlling him.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Jones doesn't manage to clinch there - Ivanoff circles away.
Jones with a lazy takedown attempt

so Ivanoff counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanoff is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Jones avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ivanoff makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Jones preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Jones is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Jones looks gassed!
Ivanoff wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Ivanoff shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Jones napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Ivanoff decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Ivanoff counters with a single leg into guard. Jones didn't expect that.
Ivanoff is in close to Jones's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Jones avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ivanoff is stalling in the full guard.
Ivanoff trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Excellent takedown into side control there by Jones.
Ivanoff is trying to buck Jones off.
Ivanoff trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Jones is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ivanoff is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Ivanoff bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Ivanoff counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Ivanoff wants to stand and escape but instead Jones has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Ivanoff wants to stand but Jones is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jones stands and steps away. Ivanoff gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Jones fails to land with a series of punches.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ivanoff swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jones shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ivanoff defends it nicely.
Ivanoff misses with a takedown
and Jones counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Ivanoff is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Ivanoff keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanoff fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ivanoff tries for a takedown but Jones circles away easily
and Jones counters with a left and a right that stings Ivanoff.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kosta Ivanoff. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jones fails with a takedown attempt.
Jones wants to clinch up but Ivanoff keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Ivanoff drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Ivanoff wants to lay and pray for a moment but Jones keeps working.
Ivanoff is really struggling to control Jones but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Jones wants to control but Ivanoff postures up.
Jones tries to escape but Ivanoff is in control.
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 Kosta Ivanoff will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Ivanoff shoots and misses

and Jones counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Ivanoff is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Jones pushes down on Ivanoff's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Ivanoff is trying to stand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jones moves nicely into side control.

Jones stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones tries to clinch there but Ivanoff circles away.
Ivanoff shoots and misses

and Jones counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Jones prevents Ivanoff from standing back up.
Jones trying to mount his opponent but Ivanoff defends it.
Jones wants to control but Ivanoff is keeping him busy.
Ivanoff pushes Jones off looking to stand but Jones dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ivanoff manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Jones moves in looking to clinch but Ivanoff pushes him off.
Jones gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Ivanoff counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Ivanoff wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanoff missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ivanoff throws a strike but Jones rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Jones gets to his feet - Ivanoff follows without any prompting.

Ivanoff fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Jones sprawls well initially but Ivanoff persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Jones regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Ivanoff.
Ivanoff in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ivanoff wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.
Jones is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Jones uses the cage to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus Jones comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ivanoff 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kosta Ivanoff!