PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aleksey Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Behnder Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Ivanov
vs
Behnder Jr

180 cm
39
185 lbs
32 - 14 - 1

179 cm
22
185 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Powerful takedowns
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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 32 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Aleksey Ivanov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Marcus Behnder Jr!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Summer Carpenter and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Behnder Jr throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ivanov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ivanov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sloppy strikes from Behnder Jr. Those never looked like landing.
Behnder Jr walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nice uppercut there from Ivanov.
Ivanov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Behnder Jr lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ivanov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ivanov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Behnder Jr scoring well with a low kick there.
Ivanov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Behnder Jr.
Ivanov lands with a nice body punch.

Ivanov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half 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!
Behnder Jr is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Ivanov is working for a submission of some sort.
Behnder Jr is trying is best to control the position here.
Ivanov is thwarting Behnder Jr's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ivanov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Behnder Jr manages to get to full guard.
Ivanov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ivanov passes into half guard.
Ivanov is looking to stall here but Behnder Jr recovers full guard.
Behnder Jr trying to keep a closed guard but Ivanov is proving a slippery customer.
Ivanov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Behnder Jr works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov is looking to work some ground and pound but Behnder Jr has wrist control.
Ivanov throwing strikes but missing.
Behnder Jr keeping moving, preventing Ivanov from controlling successfully.
Behnder Jr has his hands on Ivanov's head, controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ivanov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Behnder Jr takes one to the chin there.
Ivanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Behnder Jr manages to avoid it.
Ivanov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Marcus Behnder Jr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Behnder Jr's waist but Behnder Jr gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ivanov off to one side.
Ivanov moves out of range as Behnder Jr throws a body kick.
An inside leg kick from Behnder Jr misses.
Ivanov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Behnder Jr cracks Ivanov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ivanov misses with a straight left.

Ivanov gets a double leg takedown into Behnder Jr's guard.
Behnder Jr trying to keep a closed guard but Ivanov is proving a slippery customer.
Behnder Jr looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Ivanov stands up over Behnder Jr, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksey Ivanov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Behnder Jr takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Jab from Ivanov.
Ivanov lands with a hook. Behnder Jr tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Behnder Jr takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Behnder Jr misses with a head kick.
Behnder Jr looks to throw the jab but Ivanov is out of range.
Ivanov scores with a nice head shot.
Ivanov connects with a body shot that sends Behnder Jr's belly button to the back.
Ivanov seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Ivanov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Behnder Jr looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Behnder Jr takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Behnder Jr throws a low kick but Ivanov moves out of range easily.
Ivanov attempts a counter takedown but Behnder Jr avoids it well and moves away.
Behnder Jr tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Behnder Jr moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Aleksey Ivanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov lands a right hook to the body.
Ivanov throws a shot from downtown. Behnder Jr moves away and avoids it.
Ivanov defending well as Behnder Jr loads up on a big left hand.
Ivanov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Behnder Jr throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Ivanov lands with a straight right. Behnder Jr didn't see that one coming.
Ivanov lands with a right hand.

Ivanov gets a takedown into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ivanov lands a nice short elbow.
Behnder Jr blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ivanov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Behnder Jr trying to control but Ivanov postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ivanov prevents Behnder Jr from improving his position.

Ivanov is working for a submission of some sort.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ivanov is pressing down on Behnder Jr's thigh, looking to free his foot. Behnder Jr is holding on for now.
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.
Behnder Jr is looking for a sweep. Ivanov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Behnder Jr is looking for a sweep. Ivanov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ivanov throws a strike but Behnder Jr avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Ivanov trying to control but Behnder Jr is working from the bottom.
Ivanov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Behnder Jr is keeping the position for now.
Behnder Jr wants to hit a switch here but Ivanov passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Behnder Jr there!
Behnder Jr is desperately trying to improve his position but Ivanov has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov working Behnder Jr over with strikes here.

Ivanov is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Behnder Jr is surviving well by controlling Ivanov's body position as best he can.
Behnder Jr tries to hold on but Ivanov postures up.
Ivanov pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ivanov lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Behnder Jr hang on?
Behnder Jr can't escape the position.
Ivanov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Behnder Jr is looking to escape.
Ivanov is landing with some decent strikes but Behnder Jr is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Behnder Jr is rocked!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksey Ivanov dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Behnder Jr walks into a straight right hand from Ivanov.
Behnder Jr is still on wobbly legs! Can Ivanov finish him?
Behnder Jr misses with a looping right.
Behnder Jr takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Behnder Jr seems to have recovered his senses.
Ivanov lands with a straight right. Behnder Jr didn't see that one coming.
Ivanov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Behnder Jr.
Ivanov slips a jab from Behnder Jr.
A telegraphed right hand from Behnder Jr misses the target.
Behnder Jr throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Ivanov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ivanov.

Behnder Jr looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ivanov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Ivanov is in close to Behnder Jr's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ivanov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Behnder Jr's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ivanov wants to control but Behnder Jr is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ivanov is working for a kimura but Behnder Jr is defending it quite comfortably.
Ivanov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Behnder Jr does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Ivanov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Behnder Jr sees it coming and defends easily.
Ivanov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ivanov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Aleksey Ivanov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The fighters are battling for position here. Behnder Jr manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Ivanov trying to control but Behnder Jr is working from the bottom.
Ivanov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Ivanov advances position into side control!
Behnder Jr tries to buck Ivanov off but Ivanov is having none of it.

Ivanov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Behnder Jr has escaped the position, nice work there.
Ivanov working the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Ivanov trying to control but Behnder Jr is having none of it.
Behnder Jr wants to hold on but Ivanov pushes him away.
Ivanov wants to control the pace but Behnder Jr is squirming around nicely.
Behnder Jr gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ivanov content to control rather than advance.

Ivanov is looking for a kimura but Behnder Jr is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ivanov to get the leverage.
Behnder Jr manages to get to full guard.
Ivanov landing with the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Behnder Jr being controlled here, momentarily.
Behnder Jr is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksey Ivanov clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ivanov shoots in looking for a takedown. Behnder Jr tries to sprawl out of it but Ivanov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Behnder Jr manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ivanov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Behnder Jr can do to turn this around?
Ivanov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Behnder Jr throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ivanov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ivanov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Behnder Jr.
No luck for Ivanov with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Behnder Jr takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nice shot lands for Ivanov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Behnder Jr is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ivanov.
Behnder Jr throws a looping overhand right but Ivanov ducks down to avoid it.
Ivanov throws a hook but Behnder Jr avoids it easily.
Behnder Jr throws a half hearted mid kick.
Behnder Jr wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Behnder Jr lands with a kick to the ribs.
Ivanov moves out of range of the leg kick from Behnder Jr.
Ivanov misses with a wild body shot.
Behnder Jr swings for the body but Ivanov moves out of range.
Behnder Jr takes one to the chin there.
Behnder Jr throws a half hearted mid kick.
Behnder Jr throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Behnder Jr uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ivanov.
Ivanov scores with a nice right hand.
A jab lands there for Ivanov.
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!
Behnder Jr takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Behnder Jr lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nice shot lands for Ivanov.
Aleksey Ivanov is winning the standup battle so far.
Behnder Jr connects with an inside leg kick.
Behnder Jr tries to score with a low kick but Ivanov moves his leg out of the way.
Ivanov misses with a straight left.
Ivanov lands with a good body shot.
Behnder Jr swings for the body but Ivanov moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov looking to score a takedown here. Behnder Jr is defending well but Ivanov drives through and ends up in Behnder Jr's guard.
Behnder Jr utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Behnder Jr throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ivanov trying to control but Behnder Jr is working from the bottom.
Behnder Jr is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Behnder Jr controlling Ivanov's posture.
Behnder Jr keeping moving, preventing Ivanov from controlling successfully.
Ivanov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ivanov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Behnder Jr doesn't seem bothered though.
Behnder Jr moves away from the strike by Ivanov.
Behnder Jr shapes to counter with a head kick.
Behnder Jr throws a head kick that half lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksey Ivanov had his way with Marcus Behnder Jr in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Ivanov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Behnder Jr gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Ivanov scores with a decent looking hook.
Behnder Jr uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ivanov.
Behnder Jr fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Ivanov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Behnder Jr regains full guard. Nicely done.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ivanov wants to control from the top but Behnder Jr keeps moving.

Behnder Jr escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ivanov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov looking to pass the guard.
Behnder Jr can't keep his opponent in guard - Ivanov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Ivanov trying to control the action but Behnder Jr is working from the bottom.
Ivanov is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Marcus Behnder Jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ivanov breaks from Behnder Jr's wrist control and lands an elbow.

Ivanov is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Behnder Jr has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Behnder Jr tries to hold on but Ivanov postures up.
Behnder Jr taking shots to the head.
Ivanov controlling his opponent.

Ivanov is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Behnder Jr to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Behnder Jr shrugs it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov cracks Behnder Jr with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Behnder Jr tries to hold on but Ivanov postures up.
Behnder Jr tries to reverse the position but Ivanov maintains control.
Behnder Jr gets back to half guard.
Behnder Jr is looking to improve his position.
Ivanov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Ivanov content just to control the position here.
Ivanov working the ground and pound effectively.
Behnder Jr is looking to improve his position but Ivanov isn't that keen on the idea.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ivanov wants to control the pace but Behnder Jr is squirming around nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aleksey Ivanov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ivanov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 50:45
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 50:45
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aleksey Ivanov!
Aleksey Ivanov is the new welterweight champion!
Aleksey Ivanov decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.