PBP Commentary

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

Ivanov
vs
Poddubniy

190 cm
18
260 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
20
269 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

Future Pharmaceuticals-Q150 for $40

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 St Petersburg, CJ Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Poddubniy!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Sergei Dronov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ivanov throws a low kick but Poddubniy avoids it.
Poddubniy has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Poddubniy slips a jab and a cross from Ivanov.

Ivanov gets caught flat footed, as Poddubniy shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Poddubniy is looking to stand up but Ivanov won't let him.

Ivanov has his foot on Poddubniy's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Poddubniy works his way back into a safe position though.

Ivanov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Poddubniy doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Poddubniy manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ivanov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Poddubniy slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Ivanov working for submissions but it's allowed Poddubniy to get to half guard.
Poddubniy looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ivanov trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ivanov looking for submissions off his back.

Ivanov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Poddubniy decides to return to a standing position.
Ivanov has his takedown stuffed

and Poddubniy counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Ivanov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ivanov is breathing heavily.

Ivanov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ivanov could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Poddubniy looking to pass the guard.

Ivanov has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Poddubniy is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Ivanov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poddubniy landing a few strikes.
Poddubniy wants to stand but Ivanov is controlling his arm.
Ivanov wants to control but Poddubniy postures up.
Ivanov seems a little lost for a moment, as Poddubniy dominates the positioning.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ivanov can't do much from the bottom here.
Ivanov is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Poddubniy is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ivanov tries to reverse the position but Poddubniy maintains control.
Poddubniy sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Ivanov is squirming around, avoiding Poddubniy's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poddubniy controlling the position easily from mount.
Ivanov is working to get back to half guard.
Poddubniy really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ivanov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Poddubniy in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Poddubniy trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Ivanov swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
BOOM! Poddubniy connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Ivanov is just holding on here. Poddubniy manages to take his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Ivanov's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Poddubniy controls the position.
Let's hope that Poddubniy has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Poddubniy softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Ivanov tries to escape the position.
Ivanov breaks Poddubniy's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Poddubniy trying to control the position.
Poddubniy looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ivanov is one step ahead there.

Ivanov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Poddubniy dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nice jab there from Poddubniy.
Ivanov throws a combination that misses

and Poddubniy counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Ivanov gets full guard.
Poddubniy is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Poddubniy is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Ivanov trying to keep a closed guard but Poddubniy is proving a slippery customer.

Poddubniy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Poddubniy got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ivanov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Poddubniy has managed to get both his arms back between Ivanov's legs - danger averted.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ivanov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ivanov keeping moving, preventing Poddubniy from controlling successfully.

Ivanov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Poddubniy can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Ivanov has his foot on Poddubniy's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Poddubniy works his way back into a safe position though.

Ivanov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Poddubniy doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Poddubniy manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Poddubniy not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov keeping full guard, as Poddubniy tries to pass.
Poddubniy trying to control but Ivanov is working from the bottom.
Poddubniy scoring with punches to the head and body.

Ivanov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Poddubniy can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Poddubniy would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Poddubniy sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Ivanov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Poddubniy defends it easily.
Poddubniy is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Ivanov keeping moving, preventing Poddubniy from controlling successfully.
Poddubniy preventing the sweep.
Poddubniy wants to control from the top but Ivanov keeps moving.

Ivanov is looking for a triangle but Poddubniy pushes his legs off easily.
Poddubniy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ivanov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poddubniy controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Ivan Poddubniy has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Poddubniy slips a jab and a cross from Ivanov.
Ivanov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Poddubniy closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ivanov quickly recovers to half guard.

Ivanov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Poddubniy pulls his head out easily.

Ivanov actively working from the bottom here.

Ivanov actively working from the bottom here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Poddubniy is looking for a kimura here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Poddubniy lands a nice short elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Poddubniy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ivanov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Poddubniy manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Ivanov passes into half guard.

Ivanov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Ivanov seems to be working for a kimura but Poddubniy defends the submission attempt.
Poddubniy is concentrating on defense, preventing Ivanov from advancing position.
Poddubniy connecting with a few gentle strikes.
Poddubniy controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Poddubniy slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ivanov is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Poddubniy is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Poddubniy has escaped and now he's on top!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Poddubniy wants to control from the top but Ivanov keeps moving.

Ivanov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Poddubniy defends it easily.
Poddubniy stays in close to Ivanov's body and controls the position.
Poddubniy must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Ivanov has his foot on Poddubniy's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Poddubniy works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov working for submissions but it's allowed Poddubniy to get to half guard.
Poddubniy not doing much here.
Ivanov is not content to let Poddubniy control the position.

Ivanov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Still in half guard, Poddubniy seems content to control.

Ivanov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ivan Poddubniy has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov is trying to control but can't.
Poddubniy landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Ivanov is looking to improve his position.
Poddubniy looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Ivanov is not content to let Poddubniy control the position.

Ivanov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Well, if Poddubniy is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Ivanov trying to control but Poddubniy postures up.

That's four 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.
Poddubniy tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Ivanov.
Ivanov is pressing down on Poddubniy's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Poddubniy is sitting in close to Ivanov's body. Ivanov has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Poddubniy is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Poddubniy is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Ivanov.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). CJ Ivanov!