PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zvon Stakanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Junakovic (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!

Stakanov
vs
Junakovic

195 cm
32
260 lbs
11 - 10 - 0

200 cm
24
270 lbs
5 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Zvon Stakanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ivan Junakovic!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Albert Achterberg and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stakanov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Junakovic sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Stakanov somewhat.
Nice takedown defense from Stakanov. No joy for Junakovic on that attempt.
Junakovic shoots in for a double leg but Stakanov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
No joy there for Junakovic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Junakovic moves into range and connects with a jab.
Junakovic looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stakanov is fending him off so far but Junakovic persists. Nope, Stakanov circles away and we're back to standing.
Zvon Stakanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Junakovic.
Junakovic dodges the punch combination from Stakanov.
No joy there for Junakovic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stakanov slips a jab and a cross from Junakovic.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Junakovic!
Stakanov is breathing heavily.
Junakovic scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Junakovic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Junakovic fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stakanov avoids it really well and circles away.

Stakanov closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Junakovic tries to circle away but Stakanov has him pinned against the cage.
Junakovic is trying to push Stakanov away but Stakanov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Stakanov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Junakovic after a bit of a struggle.

Stakanov manages to pull guard.

Stakanov pushes Junakovic off and scrambles back to his feet.
Junakovic shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Stakanov eats them both and turns towards Junakovic to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Junakovic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Junakovic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Stakanov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Junakovic darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Junakovic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Junakovic shoots in but Stakanov avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A combination from Junakovic does no damage.
Junakovic fails with a takedown attempt.
Junakovic lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stakanov circles away quickly and effectively.
Junakovic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stakanov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Stakanov dodges the punch combination from Junakovic.
No joy there for Junakovic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Junakovic throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stakanov's waist but Stakanov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Junakovic off to one side.
Junakovic scores with the left hand. Stakanov knows he should have avoided that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stakanov slips a straight right by Junakovic.
Junakovic lands a jab to the nose.
Junakovic lands with a good body shot.
Junakovic lands with a nice combination. Stakanov backs away looking to recover.
Junakovic fails with the takedown.
Junakovic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Junakovic misses with a combination

and Stakanov counters by clinching up.
Junakovic is trying to break free.

Stakanov breaks from the clinch.
Junakovic shoots for a takedown but Stakanov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Stakanov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Stakanov shoots in for a takedown but Junakovic shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Junakovic misses with a two punch combination.
Junakovic rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stakanov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Junakovic bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Stakanov's head backwards.
Junakovic closes this distance looking for a takedown but Stakanov circles away.
Junakovic throws a nice looking combination but Stakanov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Junakovic cracks Stakanov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Junakovic checks a leg kick.
Stakanov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Junakovic scores with a decent looking hook.
A combination from Junakovic does no damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Junakovic falls off balance throwing a combination

and Stakanov counters by clinching up.
Junakovic is trying to force a seperation but Stakanov has the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Junakovic dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Junakovic defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Stakanov.
Junakovic throws a combination that misses

and Stakanov counters with a single leg into guard. Junakovic didn't expect that.

Junakovic has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Stakanov off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Junakovic moves out of range as Stakanov strikes.
A right-left combo lands from Junakovic.
A combination from Junakovic does no damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stakanov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Junakovic.
Junakovic scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Junakovic lands a two punch combo.
Junakovic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A left and a right from Junakovic both land. Nice combination.
Junakovic lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Stakanov is rocked!
Junakovic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Oh Stakanov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Stakanov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sloppy strikes from Junakovic. Those never looked like landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Junakovic misses with a few strikes there.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Junakovic, as that shot connected.
Stakanov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Junakovic tests Stakanov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Junakovic shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stakanov as he jumps to the side.
Junakovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stakanov.
Junakovic looks for a takedown but Stakanov sprawls well.
Zvon Stakanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Junakovic.
Junakovic throws a combination that misses

and Stakanov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Junakovic wants to break the clinch but can't.

Stakanov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Junakovic lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Stakanov at a distance.
Junakovic lands a two punch combo.
Junakovic catches Stakanov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Junakovic lands a jab-cross combination.
Junakovic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stakanov seems to have got his legs back now.
Junakovic misses with a series of wild punches.
Stakanov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Junakovic fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Zvon Stakanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Stakanov does no damage.
Stakanov takes one on the chin but seems OK.
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!
Junakovic throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stakanov's waist but Stakanov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Junakovic off to one side.
Junakovic changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Junakovic misses with a takedown attempt - Stakanov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Stakanov fails with a takedown attempt.
Junakovic lands an overhand right.
Junakovic misses with a two punch combination.
Junakovic looks to land a combination but Stakanov avoids it well.
Stakanov shoots in looking for a takedown. Junakovic tries to sprawl out of it but Stakanov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Junakovic manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Junakovic. Beautiful body shot.
Ivan Junakovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stakanov walks into a jab.
Junakovic shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stakanov defends it nicely.
Some wild striking there from Junakovic.
Stakanov takes one to the side of the head.
Junakovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stakanov.
Stakanov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Junakovic paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Junakovic swinging wildly here.
Junakovic looks to land a combination. Stakanov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Junakovic uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Stakanov has time to react.
Junakovic shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stakanov defends it nicely.
Junakovic ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Junakovic misses with a wild combination.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stakanov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Junakovic.
Junakovic throws a series of punches but Stakanov moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Junakovic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Stakanov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Junakovic throws out the jab.
Junakovic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Junakovic lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stakanov circles away quickly and effectively.
Junakovic throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Junakovic lands a head shot.
A combination from Junakovic does no damage.
Stakanov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Junakovic.
Ivan Junakovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Junakovic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Junakovic shoots in but Stakanov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Junakovic scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Junakovic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Junakovic throws a looping overhand right but Stakanov ducks down to avoid it.
Junakovic is working the combinations to good effect here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Junakovic swinging wildly here.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Junakovic!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stakanov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Junakovic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Junakovic cracks Stakanov with a good jab.
Stakanov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Junakovic but Junakovic pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Junakovic connects with a right hand. Stakanov shakes it off.
Junakovic lands a two punch combo.
Stakanov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Junakovic finds it's way round the side to connect with Stakanov's head.
Junakovic throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stakanov's waist but Stakanov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Junakovic off to one side.
Zvon Stakanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Junakovic.
Junakovic shoots in for a double leg but Stakanov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Stakanov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Junakovic.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Junakovic scores with the left hand. Stakanov knows he should have avoided that one.
Junakovic throws a right hand that Stakanov ducks under and follows up with a left that Stakanov also avoids with ease.
Stakanov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Sloppy strikes from Junakovic. Those never looked like landing.
Junakovic lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stakanov circles away quickly and effectively.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Junakovic with a poor takedown
and Stakanov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Junakovic lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Stakanov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Junakovic misses the shot to the body.
Junakovic displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Junakovic scores with a jab to the body.
Stakanov fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Junakovic jabs at Stakanov's body.
Zvon Stakanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Junakovic shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stakanov pinned against the cage. Stakanov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Junakovic misses with the combination.
Stakanov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Junakovic tries to bum rush Stakanov with a series of wild strikes but Stakanov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Junakovic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Junakovic stuffs the takedown attempt from Stakanov. Stakanov gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stakanov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Junakovic looks to land a combination. Stakanov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Nice uppercut lands for Junakovic. That snapped Stakanov's head back.
Junakovic sizes up Stakanov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Junakovic shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Stakanov eats them both and turns towards Junakovic to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Junakovic scores with a shot to the body.
Junakovic scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Junakovic lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Stakanov backs up against the cage.
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!
Some wild striking there from Junakovic.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stakanov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Ivan Junakovic is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Stakanov avoids a punch combination nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Junakovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Junakovic winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Junakovic!