PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ilya Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rikiya Sonoda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Ivanov
vs
Sonoda

180 cm
22
245 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

192 cm
25
272 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Tends to cut

Zombie Nutrition - LOD
Tokyo United Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ilya Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rikiya Sonoda!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Frank Dennis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sonoda gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ivanov tries to score a body lock takedown but Sonoda shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sonoda with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sonoda using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ivanov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ivanov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sonoda pulls his leg out and moves away.
A head kick misses from Sonoda.

Sonoda darts in and clinches Ivanov up against the cage.
Ivanov tries to score a body lock takedown but Sonoda shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ilya Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sonoda tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ivanov is trying to drag Sonoda to the mat but Sonoda just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ivanov takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Ilya Ivanov has been cut.
Ivanov tries for a takedown but Sonoda manages to get underhooks.
We've been hearing reports that Ivanov has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sonoda can't break the clinch.
Sonoda is trying to break the clinch but Ivanov is controlling him.
Ivanov wants a takedown but no success here.
Sonoda tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Ivanov has picked Sonoda up - he's going for a ride! Ivanov dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Sonoda is trying to stand back up but Ivanov is controlling him
Ivanov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sonoda throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Ivanov manages to pass to side control.
Sonoda is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Ivanov is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Sonoda trying desperately to get to his feet.
Sonoda is looking to get to half guard.
Ivanov landing strikes from the mount and Sonoda is in trouble!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sonoda is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Ivanov with a couple of short strikes.
Ivanov punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov is landing with some decent strikes but Sonoda is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Sonoda is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Ivanov avoids the attempt from Sonoda to control.
Ivanov cracks Sonoda with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

It looks like Rikiya Sonoda has been cut.
Sonoda wants to try and get back to his feet.
Ivanov looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Sonoda is in a horrible position here. Ivanov smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Sonoda is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Ivanov trying to control but Sonoda is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ivanov scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Sonoda?
Ivanov scoring with strikes but Sonoda is staying in there.

Sonoda is rocked!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ivanov lands a big shot to the head and Sonoda winces in pain. He's tapped out due to strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Ilya Ivanov!
Rikiya Sonoda spoke after the fight, saying 'Battle Lost but the War continues Team Goroshi - Tokyo United Fightwear - Zombie Nutrition'.