PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Vanko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mateusz Krol (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vanko comes to the cage accompanied by Oh No by Gogol Bordello. Krol comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Hagen - Rebelia kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Vanko
vs
Krol

175 cm
19
261 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

199 cm
25
250 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Mango Nutrition
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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ivan Vanko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mateusz Krol!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Chris Edwards and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Krol closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Vanko's guard.

Vanko is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Krol defends well.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Vanko has his foot on Krol's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Krol works his way back into a safe position though.
Vanko looking to hit a scissor sweep but Krol is one step ahead there.

Vanko is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vanko is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Krol is aware though and is defending well.

Krol stands up from Vanko's guard - Krol perhaps looking for a knockout.

Krol closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Vanko's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Krol wanted to stand there but Vanko had control of the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Vanko working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Krol doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Krol manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Vanko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Krol is looking to stand up but Vanko won't let him.

Vanko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vanko manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Vanko looking to ground and pound but Krol is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Vanko dominated that round.
That's time! Vanko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Krol gets the takedown into side control.

Krol decides to stand back up.

Vanko moves into the clinch.

Vanko is fighting off a takedown attempt but Krol is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Vanko to the mat. Vanko regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Vanko might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Vanko looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Krol wants to stand but Vanko is controlling his posture from full guard.
Krol is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vanko is looking for a triangle here but Krol uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Vanko sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vanko works his way to full guard. Good work.
Vanko has a closed guard, preventing Krol from standing up.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanko bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Krol's guard.
Vanko trying to control the position from guard on top but Krol is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Krol is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Vanko is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vanko trying to control but Krol is working from the bottom.

Vanko thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Krol utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vanko throws a strike but Krol rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
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 Ivan Vanko will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Krol scores with a takedown into Vanko's guard.

Vanko is working an open guard so Krol takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Krol drives through with a takedown into Vanko's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Vanko throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Vanko is looking for a triangle but Krol pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krol would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Krol won't allow Vanko to sweep him here.

That's two 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.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mateusz Krol was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Krol shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Vanko gets back to full guard.
Krol takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vanko trying to keep a closed guard but Krol is proving a slippery customer.

Vanko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Krol stands and steps away. Vanko gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Vanko closes the distance and clinches.

Krol gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vanko gets full guard.

Vanko working for submissions but it's allowed Krol to get to half guard.
Vanko is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Krol's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Krol's back!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vanko somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mateusz Krol comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Vanko 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Vanko!
A relieved looking Ivan Vanko thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.