PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Fernandez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stanislav Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ivanov has chosen Muffin man as his entrance music. Stanislav Ivanov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Fernandez
vs
Ivanov

185 cm
25
195 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

186 cm
20
200 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Xavier Fernandez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Stanislav Ivanov!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, John Kavanagh and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fernandez takes one to the chin there.
Fernandez swings for the body but Ivanov moves out of range.

Ivanov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ivanov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Xavier Fernandez has been cut.
Fernandez wants to get back to striking at distance but Ivanov won't allow it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ivanov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fernandez's brow.
Fernandez is trying to break the clinch but Ivanov has him pressed against the cage.
Fernandez blocks an elbow strike from Ivanov.
Fernandez is trying to stall.
Ivanov tries a knee to the head but Fernandez blocks it.
Fernandez on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Fernandez is trying to break the clinch but Ivanov has him pressed against the cage.
Fernandez tries to work over Ivanov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Fernandez avoids a wild elbow strike from Ivanov.
Ivanov lands a nice knee to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Fernandez.
Fernandez stalling the fight.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ivanov misses with a knee to the head.
Ivanov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Fernandez throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ivanovs head.
Fernandez is stalling here.
Fernandez blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Fernandez managing to block the knees to the body from Ivanov.
Fernandez lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez just leaning against Ivanov, taking a breather.
Ivanov tries to land knees in the clinch but Fernandez avoids the damage to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Fernandez.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Ivanov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Ivanov trying to land knees to the body.
Fernandez tries to stall but Ivanov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Fernandez being controlled against the cage.
Fernandez can't find room to land a body shot as Ivanov controls the action.
Come on Ivanov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Fernandez scores with a shot to the side of Ivanov's head.
Ivanov avoids a wild elbow strike from Fernandez.
Ivanov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Fernandez up against the cage.
Fernandez goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fernandez misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fernandez slows down the pace here.
Ivanov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ivanov trying to land knees to the body.
Fernandez tries to work over Ivanov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ivanov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ivanov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fernandez is defending well for now.
Fernandez misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ivanov.
Fernandez misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nice body punch from Fernandez.
Ivanov pushes off an throws an elbow but Fernandez leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Fernandez lands a shoulder strike.
Ivanov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Fernandez stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ivanov looks gassed!
Fernandez lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ivanov.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Fernandez throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Fernandez working aggressively here.
Ivanov misses with a knee to the head.
Ivanov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Fernandez is keeping busy.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Fernandez.
Fernandez trying to land knees to the body.
Fernandez avoiding damage as Ivanov throws knees to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Fernandez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Fernandez tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Fernandez.
Fernandez works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Fernandez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fernandez throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A short uppercut from Fernandez.
Ivanov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fernandez.
Ivanov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Fernandez is keeping busy.
Fernandez tries a body shot but Ivanov blocks it.
Fernandez looking to slow down the pace here.
Fernandez working hard to break the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Fernandez is working Ivanov over against the cage.
Fernandez digs a right hand into Ivanov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ivanov's gas tank.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ivanov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Fernandez wants to stall.
Ivanov misses with a knee strike.
Ivanov tries to land knees in the clinch but Fernandez avoids the damage to the body.
Fernandez pushes Ivanov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A body shot lands from Fernandez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez can't find room to land a body shot as Ivanov controls the action.
Ivanov misses with a knee to the head.
Fernandez misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ivanov.
Fernandez tries to land knees in the clinch but Ivanov avoids the damage to the body.
Fernandez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Fernandez controlling the action here for a moment.
Fernandez misses with a punch on the inside.
Ivanov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Fernandez.
Ivanov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ivanov trying to control the position but instead, Fernandez has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ivanov into the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Fernandez fails to land.
Fernandez scores with a hook to the body.
Ivanov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Fernandez has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Fernandez tries a body shot but Ivanov blocks it.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Fernandez looking to slow down the pace here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Fernandez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Xavier Fernandez's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

The crowd cheers as Fernandez lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ivanov doesn't seem phased though.
Fernandez moves in looking to clinch but Ivanov pushes him off.
Ivanov wants to clinch but Fernandez slips to the side
and Fernandez counters with a nice uppercut.
Ivanov throws a nice looking combination but Fernandez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Ivanov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ivanov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Fernandez blocks it with crossed arms.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Fernandez.
Ivanov wants to stall.
A body shot lands from Fernandez.
Ivanov missing with knees to the body.
Fernandez tries a body shot but Ivanov blocks it.
Fernandez misses with the head strike.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Ivanov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Ivanov is breathing heavily.
Ivanov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Fernandez is keeping busy.
Fernandez is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ivanov is keeping busy.
Fernandez swings wildly with an uppercut but Ivanov uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov tries to land a knee to the head but Fernandez blocks with his arms.
Fernandez lands a shot to the body.
Ivanov just leaning against Fernandez, taking a breather.
Fernandez lands a body shot in the clinch.
Fernandez tries to circle away but Ivanov has him pinned against the cage.
Fernandez lands with a short shot to the head.
Ivanov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Fernandez lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ivanov.
Xavier Fernandez has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Fernandez is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Fernandez lands with a left to the head.
Fernandez scores with a shot to the side of Ivanov's head.

Fernandez manages to break the clinch.
Fernandez moves out of range as Ivanov throws a body kick.
Ivanov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fernandez works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ivanov closes the distance but Fernandez moves to the side
and Fernandez counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ivanov tries to clinch but Fernandez moves away

and Fernandez counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Fernandez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Fernandez.
Fernandez lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ivanov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ivanov blocks an uppercut.
Fernandez is trying to stall.
Fernandez wants to break free but Ivanov has control.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Fernandez creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Fernandez.
Fernandez is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ivanov is looking to control Fernandez's arms but Fernandez gets an underhook and turns him. Now Ivanov has his back to the cage.
Fernandez goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fernandez scores with a shot to the side of Ivanov's head.
Fernandez struggles to land a body shot inside as Ivanov controls his hands.
Fernandez misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ivanov taking a breather.
Ivanov managing to block the knees to the body from Fernandez.
A short right from Fernandez.
Fernandez throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Fernandez lands a nice uppercut.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Fernandez on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fernandez taking a breather.
Fernandez tries to work over Ivanov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ivanov throws a knee to the head but misses.
A right hand to the body from Fernandez.
Fernandez lands a left hand.
Ivanov dodges an elbow strike from Fernandez.
Ivanov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Fernandez lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ivanov or not.
Fernandez is trying to break the clinch but Ivanov is controlling him.
Fernandez goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fernandez is trying to force a seperation but Ivanov has the dominant position.
Fernandez misses with a punch on the inside.
Ivanov misses with a knee strike.
Fernandez lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ivanov.
Ivanov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Fernandez's efforts to push away.
Fernandez tries to break the clinch but Ivanov is controlling the position.
Fernandez lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ivanov.
Fernandez lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fernandez is leaning against Ivanov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez pushes Ivanov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fernandez slowing the pace effectively.
Ivanov blocking some punches.
Fernandez misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fernandez pushes Ivanov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Fernandez.
Fernandez lands a nice uppercut.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Fernandez as Ivanov tries to tie him up.
Fernandez lands a nice shot to the body.
Fernandez tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fernandez lands a right hand.
Fernandez throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ivanovs head.
Fernandez works on Ivanov's body with a couple of short punches.
Fernandez is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ivanov is keeping busy.
Fernandez misses with a body punch.
Ivanov looking to slow down the pace here.
Fernandez is looking to control Ivanov's arms but Ivanov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Fernandez has his back to the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Fernandez pressing his opponent against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Fernandez dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Xavier Fernandez's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Ivanov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Fernandez counters with a straight right hand.
Ivanov wants to clinch up but Fernandez keeps it at a distance.
Ivanov moves in looking to clinch but Fernandez pushes him off.
Ivanov ducks under a wild hook from Fernandez.
Fernandez is looking to clinch.
Fernandez is looking to clinch but Ivanov is avoiding it.
Fernandez just misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ivanov throws a left and a right that both miss

and Fernandez counters by clinching up.
Ivanov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fernandez is defending well for now.
Fernandez tries to work over Ivanov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Fernandez avoiding damage as Ivanov throws knees to the body.
Fernandez lands a nice uppercut.
Ivanov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ivanov as Fernandez tries to tie him up.
Ivanov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Fernandez managing to block the knees to the body from Ivanov.
Ivanov tries a knee to the head but Fernandez blocks it.
Fernandez throws a punch but it's blocked by Ivanov.
Fernandez tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fernandez working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Fernandez wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Fernandez pushes Ivanov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Fernandez manages to break the clinch.
Fernandez takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Ivanov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Fernandez throws a lazy right hand but Ivanov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Fernandez misses the target.
Fernandez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fernandez avoids the head kick by Ivanov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Fernandez tries to clinch up but Ivanov circles away and keeps his distance.
A solid body kick from Ivanov.
Good exchange - Ivanov coming out on top.

Fernandez has managed to clinch.
Fernandez dodges an elbow strike from Ivanov.
Fernandez throws a punch but it's blocked by Ivanov.
Fernandez misses with the head strike.
Ivanov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Fernandez has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ivanov misses with a knee to the head.
Ivanov avoids the elbow strike from Fernandez, against the cage.
Ivanov lands an elbow just above Fernandez 's eye.
Ivanov letting Fernandez take a breather here.
Fernandez scores with a shot to the side of Ivanov's head.
Fernandez is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Fernandez throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Fernandez stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez is trying to break free.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ivanov.
A right handed body shot lands from Fernandez.
A right hand to the body from Fernandez.
Fernandez throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Fernandez just leaning against Ivanov, taking a breather.
Nice body punch from Fernandez.
A short left from Fernandez.
Nice body punch from Fernandez.
Fernandez stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Fernandez is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ivanov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Fernandez misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ivanov.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Ivanov 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.
Fernandez misses with some punches.
Ivanov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Fernandez just leaning against Ivanov, taking a breather.
Fernandez lands a shot to the body.
Fernandez misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez looking to slow down the pace here.
Ivanov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fernandez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ivanov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Fernandez misses with a punch on the inside.
Xavier Fernandez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ivanov taking a breather.
Fernandez tries to throw a body punch but Ivanov avoids it by throwing Fernandez back against the cage.
Ivanov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ivanov taking a breather.
Fernandez avoids a wild elbow strike from Ivanov.
Stanislav Ivanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fernandez on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Fernandez pushes off an throws an elbow but Ivanov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Fernandez effectively controlling the action here.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Fernandez.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xavier Fernandez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Fernandez, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xavier Fernandez!