PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wang Hongwen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Russell Ives (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hongwen comes into the arena with Tiptoe Through The Tulips blaring out of the sound system. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Hongwen
vs
Ives

185 cm
26
245 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

190 cm
21
250 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Red Hand Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Wang Hongwen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Russell Ives!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ives misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hongwen.
Hongwen lunges at Ives with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Ives's hand.
Hongwen keeps the fight on the outside.
Ives with a jab.
Ives misses with a looping left.

Ives clinches up against the cage.
Ives drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hongwen gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Ives breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ives misses with a looping left.
Ives tries to clinch up.
No joy there for Hongwen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ives shoots in for a takedown but Hongwen shows good takedown defense.
Ives throws the left hand but Hongwen avoids the punch easily.
Hongwen misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hongwen's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Hongwen duly obliges.
Hongwen slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Ives swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hongwen misses with an uppercut. Ives saw that one coming.
Ives connects with a crisp jab.
Ives throws a jab but it's blocked by Hongwen.
Hongwen misses with a series of wild punches.
Hongwen moves out of range as Ives strikes.
Hongwen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hongwen.
Ives misses with a right hand
and Hongwen counters with a left to the body.
Ives throws a good cross that connects.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hongwen looks to land a combination. Ives sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ives tries for a takedown but Hongwen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wang Hongwen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Russell Ives.
Ives misses with a double jab.
Hongwen slips a jab from Ives.

Hongwen drives through with a takedown into Ives's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Hongwen passes into half guard.
Hongwen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hongwen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ives does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ives is trying to control but can't.
Hongwen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ives flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Ives is concentrating on defense, preventing Hongwen from advancing position.
Hongwen lands strikes from half guard.
Hongwen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ives's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ives slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Ives looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hongwen lands a couple of digs.
Ives utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ives lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hongwen!
Hongwen bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Ives avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hongwen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ives works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hongwen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ives works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hongwen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ives trying to control the position.

Ives has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hongwen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ives looking to control.
Hongwen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ives is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Ives tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hongwen knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hongwen wants to get back to his feet.
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 Wang Hongwen will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ives moves into the clinch successfully.
Hongwen has a couple of punches blocked by Ives.
Ives tries to throw a body punch but Hongwen avoids it by throwing Ives back against the cage.
Hongwen is trying to force a seperation but Ives has the dominant position.
Ives tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hongwen just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ives lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hongwen backwards.
Ives wants a takedown.

Hongwen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ives misses with a few strikes there.
Hongwen cracks Ives with an open hand slap.
Ives shoots in and drives through. Hongwen sprawls well.
Wang Hongwen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Russell Ives.
Hongwen throws a jab when Ives was well out of range.
Ives throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice cross by Hongwen.
Ives wants to clinch but Hongwen slips to the side
and Hongwen counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hongwen uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Ives wants to clinch but Hongwen slips to the side
and Hongwen counters with a two punch combo.
Hongwen loads up on a big right hand but Ives slips the punch.
Ives's jab looks to have found its range, popping Hongwen under the eye.
Ives changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hongwen tries to avoid it but Ives manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hongwen to the ground. Hongwen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ives slips a jab and a cross from Hongwen.
Ives might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Ives misses with a two punch combination.
Hongwen moves out of range of the strikes.
Ives swings for the body but Hongwen moves out of range.

Hongwen fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ives to the ground. Hongwen is now in Ives's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hongwen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Ives is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hongwen trying to control the position from guard on top but Ives is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hongwen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hongwen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hongwen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ives on the ground.
Hongwen landing some decent shots from guard.
Hongwen trying to control the position from guard on top but Ives is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Hongwen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ives has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hongwen has managed to get both his arms back between Ives's legs - danger averted.
Hongwen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hongwen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hongwen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ives preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ives trying to control the position.
Hongwen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hongwen throwing strikes but missing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Ives had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hongwen defends it easily.

Ives is looking for a triangle but Hongwen pushes his legs off easily.
Hongwen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hongwen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Ives escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hongwen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hongwen scoring with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ives wants to sweep here but Hongwen controlling him for the moment.
Hongwen throws a big right hand that misses.
Hongwen throws a big right hand that misses.
Hongwen trying to control but Ives is working from the bottom.
Ives preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hongwen postures up.
Hongwen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ives swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hongwen chips away with some ground and pound.

Ives looking for a guillotine here but Hongwen defends easily.
Ives trying to control the position.
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 Wang Hongwen will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ives throws a body punch but Hongwen moves out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ives.
Ives is looking to clinch but Hongwen is avoiding it.
Hongwen throws the left hand but Ives avoids the punch easily.
Nice sprawl there from Hongwen as Ives shoots in.
Jab by Hongwen.
A combination from Hongwen does no damage.
Ives swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Ives pushes Hongwen up against the cage in a clinch.
Hongwen is trying to break the clinch but Ives is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hongwen lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ives goes for a takedown attempt but Hongwen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Wang Hongwen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Russell Ives.
Hongwen pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Ives back to the cage. Hongwen follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Wang Hongwen is winning the standup battle so far.
Ives misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hongwen.
Jab, jab by Ives - just one landing.
Hongwen slips under a jab.
Hongwen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ives shoots for a double leg takedown but Hongwen sprawls well. He's pushed Ives's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hongwen walks into a straight right hand from Ives.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hongwen connects with a nice looking jab.
Ives throws a series of punches but Hongwen moves out of range.
A jab from Ives misses.
Hongwen lands a jab.
Hongwen moves out of range as Ives strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ives doesn't manage to clinch there - Hongwen circles away.
Hongwen misses with a wild combination.
Ives rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hongwen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ives punishes Hongwen's body with a nice straight punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ives misses with a combination

and Hongwen counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ives won't be happy with that.
Hongwen cracks Ives with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Ives struggling a bit here.
Ives takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Hongwen working the body and head with strikes.
Hongwen scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Ives to see if he's OK.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ives regains half guard there - taking advantage of Hongwen's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Ives regains full guard. Nicely done.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hongwen drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Ives manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Hongwen has Ives in his guard.
Ives with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ives throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hongwen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ives throwing strikes from guard but Hongwen blocks nicely.
Ives wants to pass the guard but Hongwen is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Wang Hongwen did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ives tries to clinch
and Hongwen counters with a straight right hand.
Ives shoots in for a takedown but Hongwen shows good takedown defense.
Ives shoots in looking for a takedown but Hongwen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ives's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hongwen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Hongwen lands a nice shot that snaps Ives's head back.
Ives looks to score with a jab to the body but Hongwen is just out of range.

Hongwen darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Hongwen prevents Ives from improving his position.
Hongwen working the head and body with strikes.
Ives taking some punishment here, with Hongwen in his half guard.
Wang Hongwen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hongwen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hongwen wants to pass to mount but Ives is defending the position.
Ives wants to control but Hongwen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hongwen wants to control but Ives is keeping him busy.
Hongwen working over Ives with some ground and pound. Ives looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Ives slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hongwen is looking to work some ground and pound but Ives has wrist control.
Ives utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ives working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hongwen.
Hongwen stopping the sweep attempt from Ives.
Hongwen wants to pass the guard but Ives is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hongwen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ives seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Hongwen postures up.
Hongwen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Hongwen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hongwen is in close to Ives's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ives preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hongwen postures up.

Hongwen is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Ives has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Hongwen is looking to defend but Ives has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Hongwen! Ives pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Hongwen taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Russell Ives!
Russell Ives is the new heavyweight champion!
Russell Ives made sure to mention his sponsor, Red Hand Clothing in his post fight interview.