PBP Commentary

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

Ivanov
vs
Blood

180 cm
28
173 lbs
18 - 6 - 1

183 cm
29
184 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

- Elite Fighter© + Laundry
xXx - Voodoo Labs - 159++ Energy - $50

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Aleksey Ivanov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Darin Blood!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Dillan Fox and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blood throws a nice looking combination but Ivanov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Blood punishes Ivanov's body with a nice straight punch.
Blood avoids the body shot from Ivanov.
Ivanov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Blood.
Ivanov shoots in but no luck this time.
Ivanov takes one to the side of the head.
Some bone on bone action there as Blood checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Blood throws a right and a left that Ivanov avoids nicely.
Blood throws an overhand right that lands on Ivanov's shoulder, as Ivanov tries to avoid the shot.
Ivanov misses with a looping left.
Nice cross by Ivanov.
Blood throws a solid leg kick but Ivanov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Blood.
Ivanov thows a body shot but no joy.
Blood ducks right into an uppercut from Ivanov.

Blood takes the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ivanov pulls guard effortlessly.
Blood being controlled here momentarily.
Blood stopping the sweep attempt from Ivanov.
Blood showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Blood scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Ivanov wants to sweep here but Blood controlling him for the moment.
Ivanov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Blood manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blood not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Blood working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ivanov.
Blood wants to sweep but no luck.
Ivanov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Blood keeping moving, preventing Ivanov from controlling successfully.
Ivanov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Ivanov tries to free his leg and advance position but Blood is retaining full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Blood keeping moving, preventing Ivanov from controlling successfully.
Ivanov throws a big right hand that misses.
Blood keeping full guard, as Ivanov tries to pass.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ivanov ducks under a wild hook from Blood.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blood throws a leg kick that misses.
Ivanov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Ivanov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Blood misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Ivanov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Blood pushes Ivanov up against the cage in a clinch.
Blood prevents a body shot from Ivanov.
Blood throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ivanovs head.
Ivanov tries to pull guard but Blood holds him up against the cage and eventually Ivanov drops back down to his feet.
Ivanov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksey Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Blood softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Ivanov gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Ivanov slips a nice elbow through Blood's hands, connecting with Blood's forehead.
Ivanov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Ivanov prevents Blood from improving his position.
Blood moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Blood looking to control.
Blood might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Ivanov kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Ivanov content to stall in guard here.
Blood wants to sweep here but Ivanov controlling him for the moment.
Blood preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Darin Blood wasn't active enough on the ground.
Blood misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ivanov.
Blood tries to clinch up but Ivanov circles away and keeps his distance.
Ivanov shoots for a takedown but Blood saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Aleksey Ivanov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Blood misses with a hook.
Blood wants to slow Ivanov down by chopping away at his legs.
Ivanov tries for a takedown but Blood sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Blood throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ivanov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ivanov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Blood throws a low kick, looking for Ivanov's leg but Ivanov calmly moves out of range.
Blood is looking to clinch.
Blood misses with a low kick.
Ivanov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Blood.
A lazy body kick from Blood

and Ivanov counters with a single leg into guard. Blood didn't expect that.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ivanov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ivanov trying to control but Blood is working from the bottom.
Ivanov preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Blood is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ivanov wants to pass the guard but Blood is keeping the position.
Blood looking to control.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Darin Blood hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Ivanov blocks a jab.
Blood fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ivanov manages to avoid it.
A big left from Blood misses.
Ivanov misses with a looping right.
Ivanov is looking to wear down Blood with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Ivanov throws a body punch but Blood moves out of range.
Ivanov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Darin Blood is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ivanov tests Blood's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Blood finds it's target.
Ivanov throws a sloppy head kick and Blood moves out of range easily.
Blood moves forwards but Ivanov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Blood tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Ivanov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Blood throws a looping overhand right but Ivanov ducks down to avoid it.
Ivanov checks a low kick from Blood.
Blood punishes Ivanov's body with a nice straight punch.
Sloppy strikes from Blood. Those never looked like landing.
Ivanov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Blood sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ivanov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Blood stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Blood blocks a head kick by Ivanov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blood looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Blood shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Darin Blood seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Blood lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Ivanov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Darin Blood seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ivanov moves out of range of the body kick from Blood.
Ivanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Blood manages to avoid it.
Blood with a jab.
A head kick by Blood misses
and Ivanov counters with a right hand to the body.
No luck for Ivanov with that takedown attempt.
Ivanov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Blood misses with a body shot.
Blood moves away from the strike by Ivanov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Blood to the mat! Blood manages to get full guard.
Ivanov throwing strikes from guard but Blood blocks nicely.
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!
Ivanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Blood is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Blood looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Blood is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Ivanov is looking to advance position but Blood has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ivanov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Aleksey Ivanov will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Blood thows a body shot but no joy.
Blood misses with a low kick as Ivanov jumps back.
Blood throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Blood throws a half hearted mid kick.
A clash of legs there as Ivanov blocks the low kick.
Ivanov throws a sloppy body shot
and Blood counters with an outside leg kick.
Blood finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Blood misses with a kick to the body.
Blood is looking to chop away at Ivanov's legs.
Ivanov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Blood can pounce on him.
Blood looks for the body kick but Ivanov saw that one coming.
Ivanov scores with a decent looking hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Blood comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Blood misses with a straight left.
Blood keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Blood throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ivanov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Blood.
The crowd cheers as Blood lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ivanov doesn't seem phased though.
Ivanov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Ivanov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Blood is trying to get back to full guard.
Ivanov is thwarting Blood's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov is pressing down on Blood's thigh, looking to free his foot. Blood is holding on for now.

Ivanov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Ivanov is looking for a kimura but Blood is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ivanov to get the leverage.
Ivanov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Blood tries to roll over but Ivanov keeps him under control.

Ivanov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Blood is just riding it out for now. Ivanov eventually gives up the hold.
Blood trying to control but Ivanov postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov prevents Blood from standing back up.
Ivanov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Blood wants to improve his position but Ivanov is controlling well.
Ivanov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Blood's head.
Ivanov wants to control but Blood is keeping him busy.

Ivanov seems to be looking for submissions.
Ivanov working the head and body with strikes.
Blood controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Blood is looking for a sweep. Ivanov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Blood tries to get to full guard but Ivanov has control of the leg.
Blood is trying to maintain the position but Ivanov is very close to passing his half guard.
Ivanov working Blood over with strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Blood is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Blood landing a few short strikes.
Blood moves into full guard.
Ivanov postures up in Blood's guard and throws a big left but Blood blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ivanov looking to pass the guard.
Blood not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Aleksey Ivanov did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ivanov takes a swing at Blood's ribcage but misses.
Ivanov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Blood.
Ivanov digs a good hook to Blood's body.
Blood throws a low kick, looking for Ivanov's leg but Ivanov calmly moves out of range.
Blood throws a chopping leg kick but Ivanov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Ivanov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Blood was well out of range. Poor timing from Ivanov.
Blood misses with a leg kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Ivanov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Blood slaps away a takedown attempt from Ivanov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ivanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Blood moves away.
A right-left combo lands from Ivanov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ivanov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Blood forces Ivanov back against the cage and clinches.
Nice body punch from Blood.
Blood swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Blood scores with a shoulder strike.
Blood lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Blood digs a right hand underneath Ivanov's ribcage. Ivanov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Ivanov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ivanov fails to pull guard.
Blood crunches a lovely knee into Ivanov's ribcage.
Ivanov blocks an elbow strike from Blood.
Blood doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A right hand to the body from Ivanov.
Blood misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blood lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ivanov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Blood gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksey Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ivanov tries to pull guard but Blood won't allow it.
Blood lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Blood tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ivanov avoids it.
Ivanov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ivanov is trying to pull guard but Blood has him pressed against the cage.
Blood working Ivanov over with knees to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Blood lands a body punch.
Ivanov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ivanov blocks a body shot from Blood.
Blood misses with a hook from the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Blood.
Blood pushes Ivanov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ivanov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Blood just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ivanov misses with a body punch.

Ivanov pulls guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Blood sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Blood 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.

Ivanov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Blood passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Blood landing a few strikes.
Blood working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blood advances to mount.
Ivanov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Blood controlling the position easily from mount.
Ivanov is desperately trying to improve his position but Blood has a good base and remains in mount.
Blood takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Ivanov tries to lock up and control but Blood gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ivanov is in all sorts of trouble here.
Aleksey Ivanov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
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!
Blood content just to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darin Blood dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Ivanov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Ivanov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Blood throws a hook but Ivanov blocks it.
Jab from Blood.
Nice defenses there by Ivanov.
Blood tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ivanov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Blood works the jab nicely.
Ivanov shoots in looking for a takedown but Blood manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ivanov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ivanov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Blood takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blood throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Blood uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ivanov.
Ivanov jabs at Blood's body.
Good work by Ivanov as he checks the leg kick.
Blood takes a swing at Ivanov's ribcage but misses.
Blood is looking to chop away at Ivanov's legs.
Blood tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ivanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Blood.
A slow jab from Blood misses its intended target.
Blood misses with an uppercut.
Blood doesn't manage to clinch there - Ivanov circles away.
Ivanov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Blood.
Darin Blood has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Blood.
Blood throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Ivanov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Blood fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ivanov checks it well.
Blood lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ivanov. Blood does a little dance to reset his feet.
Blood throws a leg kick but Ivanov moved away.
Blood will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Blood throws a wild body kick that Ivanov sees coming a mile off.
Blood looks to land a right hand but Ivanov moved out of range.
Blood throws out a loose jab but Ivanov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Blood throws a solid leg kick but Ivanov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Blood.
Blood tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blood uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Blood throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Blood doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ivanov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ivanov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Blood throws a hook but Ivanov avoids it easily.
Blood tries to clinch up
and Ivanov counters with a nice uppercut.

Ivanov gets the takedown into side control.
Ivanov with the ground and pound but Blood regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Aleksey Ivanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov is trying to control. Blood wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Blood gets full guard.
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!
Blood trying to control the position.
Ivanov's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Blood looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Blood is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Blood is trying to keep Ivanov in close.
Ivanov trying to control but Blood is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ivanov working some strikes from top position.
Ivanov stands and throws Blood's legs to the side, diving into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Darin Blood.
I think Ivanov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 48:49
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 48:49
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 46:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darin Blood!
Darin Blood is the new welterweight champion!