PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ichi Ijima (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrei Shleifer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ijima's entrance music is Alphabetical #1 - Karera Musication. A fine choice. Andrei Shleifer will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Ijima
vs
Shleifer

178 cm
20
202 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

193 cm
22
198 lbs
7 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ichi Ijima!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Andrei Shleifer!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Mauricio Rocha and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ijima is defended easily by Shleifer.
Ijima tries for a takedown but Shleifer sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Shleifer tries to clinch but Ijima moves out of range.
Ijima blocks a head kick by Shleifer.
Ijima shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Shleifer pinned against the cage. Shleifer gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ichi Ijima. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Shleifer moves into range and clinches up with Ijima.
Shleifer unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Ijima is trying to drag Shleifer to the mat but Shleifer just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ijima is looking for a takedown.
Ijima is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Shleifer to keep the fight standing.
Shleifer lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Ichi Ijima has been cut.
Ijima tries to pull guard but Shleifer holds him up against the cage and eventually Ijima drops back down to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shleifer misses with a knee strike.
Shleifer misses with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shleifer throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ijima blocks it with crossed arms.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Shleifer obliges.
Shleifer lands a knee to the head.
The referee calls for Shleifer to work.
Ijima jumps guard but Shleifer stands there with Ijima around his waist. Ijima gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Shleifer.
Shleifer with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Shleifer with a knee to the head.
Shleifer is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Shleifer with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ijima has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Shleifer avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ijima jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Shleifer walks away with a smile on his face. Ijima gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Shleifer cracks Ijima with a nasty uppercut that draws ooohs from the crowd and sends Ijima tumbling backwards onto the mat. He tries to recover but Shleifer pounces and lands a hail of unanswered strikes that forces the referee to step in to end the fight! Ijima is not happy but he gave the referee no choice!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Andrei Shleifer!
Andrei Shleifer was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.