PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cosmos Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and The Kraken (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ivanov comes to the cage accompanied by Motorhead - Ace of Spades. Kraken has chosen Battle Without Honor Or Humanity as his entrance music. Cosmos Ivanov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ivanov
vs
Kraken

189 cm
24
265 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

188 cm
27
281 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

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KAISER

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 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cosmos Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, The Kraken!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ivanov swings for the body but Kraken moves out of range.
The Kraken seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ivanov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ivanov showed some decent athleticism there.

Ivanov is trying to work for a kimura but Kraken is defending well.
Ivanov trying to control the action but Kraken is working from the bottom.
Kraken gets full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kraken looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ivanov is one step ahead there.
Kraken working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ivanov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kraken keeping moving, preventing Ivanov from controlling successfully.
Kraken not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Ivanov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ivanov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kraken looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Kraken throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kraken trying to keep a closed guard but Ivanov is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Kraken is looking for a triangle but Ivanov pushes his legs off easily.
Ivanov wants to control from the top but Kraken keeps moving.
Ivanov looking to pass the guard.
Ivanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Kraken is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kraken looking for a sweep. Not yet Kraken, not yet.

We're going to have a standup here because Cosmos Ivanov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Kraken misses with a shot to the body

and Ivanov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kraken won't be happy with that.
Kraken wants to get back to his feet.

Ivanov swings around for an armbar but Kraken sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Ivanov's guard.
Kraken stands and throws Ivanov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kraken wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ivanov keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov is looking for a sweep.
Kraken in side control, throwing shots but Ivanov defends.
Kraken has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Ivanov!
Kraken is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Kraken dominating with strikes here.
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!

Kraken moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Ivanov has worked his arm free - good work by Ivanov!
Kraken wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ivanov keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but The Kraken will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

A decent looking cross lands there for Ivanov.
Ivanov throws a jab when Kraken was well out of range.
Kraken throws a sloppy body shot
and Kraken takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ivanov connects with a body shot.

Ivanov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kraken wants to improve his position but Ivanov is controlling well.
Kraken slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov wants to control from the top but Kraken keeps moving.
Ivanov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kraken can't do much from the bottom here.
Ivanov wants to control but Kraken is keeping him busy.
Kraken is looking for a sweep.
Ivanov trying to control the position but Kraken is working away.

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.

Ivanov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kraken, who protects the arm well.
Ivanov trying to control the action but Kraken is working from the bottom.
Kraken struggling a bit here.
Kraken is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Kraken wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kraken's head.
Kraken gets full guard.
Ivanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Kraken is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kraken working for submissions but it's allowed Ivanov to get to half guard.
Kraken is staying active underneath Ivanov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kraken trying to hold on to Ivanov's head to control him but Ivanov postures up.
Ivanov prevents Kraken from improving his position.

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.
Kraken is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Ivanov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kraken knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Ivanov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kraken defends it well.
Ivanov stalling away here and it's allowed Kraken to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kraken looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ivanov is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cosmos Ivanov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kraken takes a swing at Ivanov's ribcage but misses.
Ivanov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

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

Kraken is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ivanov wants to get back to full guard.
Kraken works his foot free and advances to mount.
Ivanov is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kraken is trying to take his opponent's back.

Kraken is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Ivanov has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Ivanov!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ivanov wants to control from the top but Kraken keeps moving.
Kraken wants to sweep here but Ivanov controlling him for the moment.
Kraken keeping moving, preventing Ivanov from controlling successfully.

That's two 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.
Kraken looking for a sweep. Not yet Kraken, not yet.

Kraken looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ivanov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kraken swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kraken working a defensive guard here.
Ivanov controlling from the top position.
Kraken controls Ivanov momentarily but Ivanov frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kraken looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Ivanov has picked Kraken up and slammed him! Kraken can't keep hold of the triangle and Ivanov manages to pass to side control!
Kraken manages to work his way to half guard, despite Ivanov's best efforts.

Kraken is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ivanov pulls his head out easily.
Kraken is pressing down on Ivanov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Kraken has his foot on Ivanov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ivanov works his way back into a safe position though.
Kraken takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kraken can't keep his opponent in guard - Ivanov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Ivanov trying to control from half guard but Kraken is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov seems to be working for a kimura but Kraken defends the submission attempt.
Ivanov is looking to take a break and control but Kraken is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Kraken looking for submissions off his back.
Cosmos Ivanov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kraken is refusing to be controlled, as Ivanov sits in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
The Kraken comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kraken 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... The Kraken!