PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Stanislov Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ulf Minutsak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ivanov
vs
Minutsak

175 cm
25
178 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

173 cm
22
171 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Stanislov Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ulf Minutsak!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Sergei Dronov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ivanov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Minutsak did well to prevent Ivanov getting side control.
Ivanov is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Minutsak!
Minutsak can't escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Minutsak is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Minutsak bucks Ivanov off and manages to get back to his feet!
Ivanov throws a body punch but Minutsak moves out of range.

Ivanov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Ivanov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The referee warns Minutsak that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Ivanov landing shots from mount.
Minutsak is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Ivanov scores with a couple of good head shots there.
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!
Ivanov lands a big elbow.
Minutsak tries to hold on but Ivanov pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov landing punches.

Ivanov has hold of Minutsak's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Minutsak manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Minutsak really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Minutsak slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
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 Minutsak's temple.
Ivanov stops Minutsak from getting back to his feet.
Ivanov working the head and body with strikes.
Ivanov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Minutsak pushes Ivanov off looking to stand but Ivanov dives back in and keeps control.

Ivanov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Minutsak defends it well.
Ivanov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minutsak keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ivanov is pressing down on Minutsak's thigh, looking to free his foot. Minutsak is holding on for now.
Ivanov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Minutsak is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Minutsak avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ivanov.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ivanov throws out a leg kick but Minutsak moves out of range and Ivanov only half commits.

Minutsak moves into the clinch.
Minutsak tries a knee to the head but Ivanov blocks it.
Minutsak has Ivanov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ivanov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Minutsak tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Minutsak fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ivanov has Minutsak pressed against the cage, preventing Minutsak from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Minutsak successfully pulls guard.
Minutsak is trying to keep Ivanov in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minutsak lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Ivanov!
Ivanov is trying to escape the mount.
Minutsak is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Minutsak lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Ivanov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Minutsak looking to control but Ivanov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Minutsak is landing with some decent strikes but Ivanov is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Ivanov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Minutsak landing strikes, looking to finish!
Ivanov swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov tries to hold on but Minutsak pushes him away.
Minutsak looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Minutsak looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Minutsak lands a big shot there that rocks Ivanov but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Ivanov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Ivanov slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Nice strikes from Minutsak there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ivanov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Ivanov is breathing heavily.
Ivanov scores with a nice shot.
Minutsak trying to control the position from guard on top but Ivanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Minutsak working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Minutsak landing with the ground and pound.
Ivanov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stanislov Ivanov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ivanov shoots in for a double leg but Minutsak sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Minutsak is looking to clinch but Ivanov is avoiding it.
Minutsak fails to land with a series of punches.
Minutsak stuffs the takedown.
Minutsak lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ivanov's sensitive parts.
Minutsak lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ivanov circles away quickly and effectively.
Minutsak fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Minutsak works Ivanov's body with a nice hook.
Minutsak moves in looking to clinch but Ivanov pushes him off.
Minutsak lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ivanov's sensitive parts.
Ivanov tries a head kick but it misses.
Ivanov throws a head kick but Minutsak moves out of range.
Ivanov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Minutsak lands with an overhand left.
Minutsak throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Minutsak throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Minutsak fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ivanov, pushing him back against the cage.
Ivanov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Minutsak avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stanislov Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Minutsak has Ivanov pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Minutsak pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Ivanov tumbling to the mat - Minutsak dives into Ivanov's guard.

Ivanov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Minutsak is aware though and is defending well.
Minutsak postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Minutsak scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Ivanov striking off his back.
Minutsak keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ivanov's head.
Ivanov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ivanov tries to get out of the position.
Minutsak passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Minutsak lands some shots froms side control.

Minutsak looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Minutsak landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Minutsak working the body and head with strikes.
Ivanov tries to bench press Minutsak off him but Minutsak keeps the position.
Ivanov taking a bit of punishment here - Minutsak scoring with strikes.
Minutsak prevents Ivanov from escaping the position.
Minutsak scores with a couple of short elbows.
Ivanov tries to buck Minutsak off but Minutsak is having none of it.
Minutsak connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Ivanov some visible discomfort.
Minutsak working the body and head with strikes.
Minutsak cracks Ivanov with a big elbow.
Ivanov is looking to reverse the position.
Minutsak working the ground and pound from side control.
Minutsak trying to control the action but Ivanov is working from the bottom.
Ivanov is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Ivanov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Minutsak wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Minutsak cracks Ivanov with a big elbow.
Minutsak landing a few strikes.
Minutsak scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Ivanov to see if he's OK.
Ivanov taking punishment in the form of punches.
Minutsak in side control lands a decent elbow.
Ivanov taking punishment in the form of punches.
Ivanov is trying to improve his position.
Ivanov takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Ivanov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minutsak lands some shots froms side control.
Minutsak trying to control the position but Ivanov is working away.
Minutsak in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Ivanov taking punishment in the form of punches.
Minutsak in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Minutsak creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Minutsak works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Ivanov on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Ivanov throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Minutsak lands a nice forearm strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Minutsak thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ulf Minutsak showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Minutsak swinging wilding here.
Stanislov Ivanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Minutsak throws a body punch but Ivanov moves out of range.
Minutsak tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ivanov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Minutsak tries a head kick but it misses.

Ivanov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Ivanov working the head and body with strikes.
Minutsak trying to hold on to Ivanov's head to control him but Ivanov postures up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Minutsak manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Minutsak utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Ivanov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Minutsak controlling the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ivanov postures up in Minutsak's guard and throws a big left but Minutsak blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Minutsak kicks Ivanov off and gets to his feet.
Minutsak doesn't manage to clinch there - Ivanov circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ivanov is defended easily by Minutsak.
Ivanov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Minutsak avoids it really well and circles away.
Minutsak lands a head kick. Ivanov smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Ivanov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Minutsak moves in looking to clinch but Ivanov pushes him off.
No joy there for Minutsak, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Minutsak closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Minutsak is pressed up against the cage. Ivanov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Minutsak down to the mat. Minutsak avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stanislov Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Minutsak is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Minutsak with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minutsak moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Minutsak scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Ivanov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ivanov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Minutsak lands a head kick. Ivanov smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Minutsak throws a nice looking combination but Ivanov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ivanov shoots in for a double leg but Minutsak sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ivanov on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Minutsak tries to clinch but Ivanov is having none of it.
Ivanov takes a kick to the side of the head.
Minutsak tries to close the distance and clinch but Ivanov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Minutsak lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Ivanov walks into a jab.

Ivanov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Minutsak looks like he's trying to stand up.
Stanislov Ivanov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Minutsak manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Ivanov won't allow Minutsak to sweep him here.
Minutsak not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ivanov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Minutsak's head.

Ivanov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ivanov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Minutsak pulls Ivanov in close to his closed guard and prevents Ivanov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Minutsak utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Minutsak tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ivanov postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Minutsak pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ivanov misses with a body shot.
Minutsak scores with a jab to the head.
Ivanov avoids the head kick by Minutsak.
Ivanov shoots for a double leg takedown but Minutsak sprawls well. He's pushed Ivanov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ivanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Minutsak moves away.
Minutsak fails with an attempt to clinch.

Ivanov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Minutsak sprawls well initially but Ivanov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Minutsak trying to control here.
Minutsak is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ivanov moves nicely into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ulf Minutsak.
I think Minutsak 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:29
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Ulf Minutsak!