PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yuri Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Piero Vischi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Ivanov
vs
Vischi

185 cm
22
205 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

185 cm
26
215 lbs
12 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

FULL METAL GEAR
FULL METAL GEAR

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yuri Ivanov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Piero Vischi!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Hirohito Nitta and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vischi misses with a double jab
enabling Ivanov to counter with a crisp jab.
Vischi throws a leg kick but Ivanov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Vischi swats away the attempt to clinch by Ivanov.
Ivanov throws a leg kick
and Vischi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vischi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Vischi moves out of range of the strikes.
Vischi checks a leg kick nicely.
Yuri Ivanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Vischi.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
A low kick from Ivanov is predictable there
and Vischi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ivanov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ivanov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Vischi back to the ropes. Ivanov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Ivanov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Vischi throws a leg kick that misses.
Ivanov throws a lazy body kick
and Vischi counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ivanov's knee momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vischi misses with a low kick.
Ivanov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ivanov throws a leg kick
and Vischi counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ivanov's knee momentarily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Vischi.
Piero Vischi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ivanov misses with a hook
and Vischi counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ivanov's knee momentarily.
Vischi throws a leg kick
and Ivanov counters with a thumping low kick.
Ivanov throws a leg kick
and Vischi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ivanov thinking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov connects with a looping right hand.
Ivanov throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Vischi counters with a good low kick that Ivanov was not able to check.
Vischi throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ivanov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ivanov misses with a leg kick
and Vischi counters with a nice uppercut.
A jab from Ivanov misses.
Vischi misses with the body kick
and Ivanov counters with a low kick, right behind Vischi 's knee.
Vischi throws a leg kick but Ivanov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ivanov throws a poor cross that misses
and Vischi counters with a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov cracks Vischi with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Vischi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ivanov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Vischi scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Ivanov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Vischi tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Ivanov is in Vischi's guard.
Vischi keeping full guard, as Ivanov tries to pass.
Ivanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Vischi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ivanov postures up in Vischi's guard and throws a big left but Vischi blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Piero Vischi will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Ivanov throws an overhand right that lands on Vischi's shoulder, as Vischi tries to avoid the shot.
Vischi leaves Ivanov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ivanov misses with an uppercut. Vischi saw that one coming.
Ivanov swings widly with a right hand
and Vischi counters with a left to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ivanov throws a quick inside leg kick.
A low kick from Ivanov misses
and Vischi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ivanov tries to clinch there but Vischi circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vischi throws a leg kick
and Ivanov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ivanov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Vischi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ivanov wants to clinch up but Vischi keeps it at a distance.
Ivanov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Vischi counters with a slapping leg kick.
Ivanov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vischi.
Ivanov misses with a kick to the body
and Vischi counters with a low kick, right behind Ivanov 's knee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vischi stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ivanov.
Ivanov misses with a left hand
and Vischi counters with a nice body kick.
Ivanov misses with a hook
and Vischi counters with a good low kick that Ivanov was not able to check.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Vischi, right into the meat.
Vischi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ivanov has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yuri Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vischi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ivanov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vischi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Vischi throws a body kick the misses

and Ivanov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Ivanov trying to mount his opponent but Vischi defends it.
Ivanov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ivanov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Vischi is trying to stand up here but Ivanov is controlling him well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov is looking to pass Vischi's guard but actually Vischi recovers to full guard.
Ivanov trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Vischi manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Ivanov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Piero Vischi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A low kick from Vischi misses
letting Ivanov counter with a right hand.
Vischi blocks a low kick nicely.
Vischi scores with a leg kick.
A jab from Vischi misses.
Vischi throws a head kick but Ivanov moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vischi slips under a jab from Ivanov.
Vischi throws a sloppy head kick

and Ivanov counters with a single leg into guard. Vischi didn't expect that.
Ivanov sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov postures up and lands a big shot to Vischi's brow.
Ivanov thows a big elbow that misses.
Vischi can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Ivanov controls the pace.
Vischi keeping full guard, as Ivanov tries to pass.

That's two 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.
Vischi is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ivanov is controlling him.
Vischi working a defensive guard here.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Ivanov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Vischi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Vischi scores with a nice strike.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ivanov is defended easily by Vischi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Ivanov thows a leg kick but Vischi checks it
and Vischi counters with a nice body shot.
Ivanov throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Vischi counters with a body kick.
Ivanov misses with a lunging right hand
and Vischi counters with a big head kick but Ivanov shrugs it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Ivanov - just one landing.
Ivanov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Vischi defends it nicely.
Ivanov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Vischi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Vischi misses with a lunging right hand
and Ivanov counters with a three punch combo that has Vischi backing up. Vischi nods at Ivanov to acknowledge the strikes.

Ivanov scores a takedown into full mount!
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Ivanov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Ivanov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Ivanov clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Vischi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ivanov counters with a leg kick.
Vischi misses with a low kick as Ivanov jumps back.
Vischi tried to score with a low kick but Ivanov checks it.
Ivanov throws a leg kick that is checked
and Vischi counters with a nice leg kick.
Ivanov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Vischi counters with an outside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vischi throws a lazy body kick
and Ivanov counters with a low kick, right behind Vischi 's knee.
Ivanov misses with a hook to the body
and Vischi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ivanov throws an off balance right hand
and Vischi finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Ivanov throws a front kick that sends Vischi stumbling back into the ropes.
Vischi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Vischi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Vischi lands a nice looking kick to the body. Ivanov takes a step back to recover.
Ivanov lands a nice looking body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Vischi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Vischi on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Ivanov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Ivanov throws a right hand that misses
and Vischi counters with a solid body kick.
Vischi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A head kick misses from Vischi.
Ivanov tries to clinch up
and Vischi makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov throws a leg kick
and Vischi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ivanov thinking.
Ivanov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Vischi scores with a body shot.
Good leg kick by Vischi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ivanov dives in and grabs Vischi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Vischi pushes down on Ivanov's head and hops out.
Ivanov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Vischi counters with an outside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vischi tries to land a leg kick but Ivanov saw it coming and moves away.
Vischi throws a chopping leg kick but Ivanov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Donk. Ivanov catches Vischi right on the button with a cross.
Ivanov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ivanov walks forward, straight into a front kick from Vischi.
Ivanov throws an off balance right hand
and Ivanov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ivanov throws a combination that misses
and Vischi counters with a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Piero Vischi dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Ivanov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. 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.

A low kick from Ivanov is predictable there
and Vischi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Vischi tries to land a leg kick but Ivanov saw it coming and moves away.
Ivanov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ivanov misses with a takedown attempt - Vischi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ivanov throws a leg kick that is checked
and Vischi counters with a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A low kick from Ivanov misses
and Vischi counters with a thumping low kick.
Vischi tries to land a leg kick but Ivanov saw it coming and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vischi throws the kick towards the body but Ivanov avoids it.
Ivanov misses with a hook
and Vischi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Crunch! Ivanov slams his shin into Vischi's torso.
Ivanov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ivanov checks a leg kick nicely.
Ivanov misses with a double jab
and Vischi makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Piero Vischi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov throws a poor cross that misses
and Vischi counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ivanov's knee momentarily.
Vischi moves out of range as Ivanov throws a body kick.

Ivanov clinches with his opponent.
Ivanov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ivanov misses with the head strike.
Vischi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nice body punch from Ivanov.
A short body shot lands from Ivanov as the two fighters clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov can't find room to land a body shot as Vischi controls the action.
Ivanov tries to throw a body punch but Vischi avoids it by throwing Ivanov back against the cage.
Ivanov will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

Vischi breaks the clinch.
Ivanov closes the distance and clinches up with Vischi, looking for a takedown. Ivanov pushes Vischi against the ropes but Vischi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yuri Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ivanov misses with a right hand
and Vischi counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Vischi tries a head kick but it misses.
Ivanov throws a body kick the misses
and Vischi counters with an inside leg kick.
Vischi blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Vischi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ivanov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Vischi.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Vischi.
Ivanov misses with a left hand
and Vischi counters with a low kick, right behind Ivanov 's knee.
Piero Vischi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice cross by Ivanov.
Ivanov tries to clinch up.
Yuri Ivanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ivanov punishes Vischi's body with a nice straight punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Piero Vischi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Vischi 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 46:49
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 46:49
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Piero Vischi!
Piero Vischi is the new light heavyweight champion!