PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Raymond Rousey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Ilich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ivan Ilich has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Raymond Rousey's chin.

Rousey
vs
Ilich

191 cm
25
275 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

198 cm
20
264 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent elbows
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Raymond Rousey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Ilich!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, William Peck and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ilich looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Rousey is looking for a counter combo.
Rousey looks for a takedown but Ilich sprawls well.

Rousey rushes Ilich and presses him up against the cage.
Rousey lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Ivan Ilich has been cut.

Rousey manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Rousey escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ilich gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rousey will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ilich wants to control from the top but Rousey keeps moving.
Rousey trying to control the position here.

Rousey looking for a guillotine here but Ilich defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilich working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ilich postures up in Rousey's guard and throws a big left but Rousey blocks it.
Ilich postures up in Rousey's guard and throws a big left but Rousey blocks it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ilich throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ilich blocks a head kick by Rousey.
Ilich wants to land a leg kick but Rousey is out of range.
Rousey tries to counter by clinching up but Ilich breaks away and moves out of range.
Ilich misses with a takedown

and Rousey moves into the clinch.
Ilich looks winded!

Rousey successfully pulls guard.
Rousey seems keen to control Ilich's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rousey throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ilich really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rousey. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ilich trying to control the position from guard on top but Rousey is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rousey is on top in guard.
Rousey is stalling in the full guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Rousey looking to pass the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rousey looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rousey blocks a head kick by Ilich.
Rousey shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ilich as he avoids it easily.
We've been informed that Ilich has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
A head kick misses from Ilich.
Rousey is looking to counter the offense by Ilich and move into the clinch.
Ilich stuffs the takedown attempt from Rousey. Rousey gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raymond Rousey. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ilich displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rousey throws out the jab.
Rousey shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Ilich tries to keep at a distance but Rousey has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rousey's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ilich is trying to break the clinch but Rousey has him pressed against the cage.

Rousey pulls guard successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rousey has his hands on Ilich's head, controlling the position.
Ilich wants to stand and escape but instead Rousey has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Rousey wants to stand but Ilich has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rousey controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raymond Rousey dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Ilich's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rousey will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rousey on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ilich moves out of range of the leg kick from Rousey.
Ilich throws a head kick but Rousey moves out of range.
Rousey keeps the fight on the outside.
Ilich throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rousey half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ilich doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Rousey counters by clinching up.

Rousey has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ilich uses from the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ilich with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rousey looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Ilich is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rousey wants to sweep but no luck.
Ilich is fighting to break Rousey's control of his arms but Rousey is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Ilich wants to pass the guard but Rousey is keeping the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Rousey will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rousey sets himself, and Ilich steps forward looking for the clinch! Rousey avoids it this time.
Rousey defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ilich.
Rousey throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Ilich's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rousey closes the distance and pushes Ilich back into the cage.

Rousey breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Raymond Rousey is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Rousey pushes Ilich up against the cage in a clinch.

Rousey manages to break the clinch.
Ilich leaves Rousey with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raymond Rousey. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rousey has Ilich up against the cage in a clinch.
Rousey has Ilich pressed against the cage, preventing Ilich from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Rousey has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ilich uses from the top position.
Rousey trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Rousey is pulling down on Ilich's head to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ilich got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rousey has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ilich has managed to get both his arms back between Rousey's legs - danger averted.
Rousey keeping moving, preventing Ilich from controlling successfully.
Rousey pulls Ilich in to control the position.
Ilich is looking to work some ground and pound but Rousey has wrist control.

Rousey is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ilich defends well.
Rousey is pulling down on Ilich's head. It's preventing any offense from Ilich, at least for the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Rousey is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ilich sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rousey is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ilich can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A head kick misses from Rousey.
Ilich shoots in but Rousey avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rousey seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Ilich lands a slapping body shot.
A low kick from Ilich is predictable there

and Rousey holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Rousey jumps guard and drags Ilich to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Rousey has control of Ilich's left arm, preventing Ilich from doing any damage.
Ilich working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rousey is controlling Ilich's posture.
Ilich working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raymond Rousey dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Ilich's cut.
That's time! Rousey's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ilich swings for the body but Rousey moves out of range.
It looked like Rousey was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Rousey is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ilich sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ilich misses with a takedown attempt - Rousey sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rousey throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ilich's waist but Ilich gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rousey off to one side.
Rousey closes the distance and clinches up with Ilich, looking for a takedown. Rousey pushes Ilich against the cage but Ilich circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raymond Rousey. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rousey fails with a takedown attempt.
Rousey sets himself, and Ilich steps forward looking for the clinch! Rousey avoids it this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ilich leaves Rousey with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Ilich gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilich blocks a body shot from Rousey.
Ilich wants to get back to striking at distance but Rousey won't allow it.
Ilich tries to circle away but Rousey has him pinned against the cage.

Ilich gets control of Rousey's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ilich will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Ilich utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rousey content to stall in guard 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.
Rousey stands and throws Ilich's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Rousey happy to just control the position for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rousey avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rousey slips a jab and a cross from Ilich.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rousey putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ilich in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Rousey has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ilich avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Raymond Rousey has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rousey tries to score a body lock takedown but Ilich shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Rousey drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Rousey jumps guard.
Rousey throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ilich throws a big elbow that misses.
Rousey pulls Ilich in close to prevent any damage.
Ilich loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rousey thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Ilich must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ilich missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ilich is looking to work some ground and pound but Rousey has wrist control.
Ilich trying to control the position from guard on top but Rousey is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Ilich doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Rousey moves into the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Rousey manages to break the clinch.
Ivan Ilich has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Raymond Rousey is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rousey throws a head kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ivan Ilich.
I think Rousey 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:28
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raymond Rousey!