PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Illianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pena Vanilla (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Illianenko comes to the cage accompanied by Only God Can Judge Me. Ivan Illianenko had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Illianenko
vs
Vanilla

195 cm
20
245 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

203 cm
20
240 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ivan Illianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Pena Vanilla!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yukihiro Shimada and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vanilla misses with a looping right.
Vanilla throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vanilla lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Illianenko misses with a series of wild punches.
No joy there for Illianenko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Illianenko misses with a double jab.
Illianenko slips a straight right by Vanilla.

Illianenko closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Vanilla to the mat! Vanilla manages to get full guard.
Vanilla keeping moving, preventing Illianenko from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Illianenko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Illianenko thows a big elbow that misses.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Vanilla can do anything to dispel that myth.
Illianenko wants to control from the top but Vanilla keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Illianenko is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Vanilla is looking to stand up but Illianenko isn't so interested in that idea.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Vanilla darts in and clinches Illianenko up against the cage.
Vanilla wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Illianenko tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The referee calls for Illianenko to work.

Illianenko manages to pull guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Illianenko has his foot on Vanilla's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Vanilla works his way back into a safe position though.
Illianenko is trying to control the position but Vanilla postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Illianenko had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Vanilla is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Illianenko Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Vanilla's back instead.
Vanilla is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Illianenko thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

Illianenko is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Illianenko is persistently looking for the submission but Vanilla is defending it well.
Vanilla really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Illianenko. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Illianenko is breathing heavily.

Illianenko is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Vanilla has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanilla holding both Illianenko 's hands and preventing any damage.

Vanilla showing good submission defense here.
Vanilla is trying to get back to his feet but Illianenko has full control of the position and if anything, Vanilla has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Illianenko is looking for the choke from the back position but Vanilla is controlling his hands well.

Vanilla is trying to get back to his feet. He's worked up on to his knees and now he's on his feet with his head on the canvas, trying to shake Illianenko off. It looks like it's working - Illianenko slides off, much to his dismay, and we're back to standing! Vanilla displaying calm under pressure there.

Illianenko drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vanilla bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Illianenko swinging wilding here.
Pena Vanilla is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vanilla tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Illianenko was well out of range. Poor timing from Vanilla.
Illianenko misses with a jab, cross combination.
Illianenko tries to clinch up.
Illianenko wants to clinch up but Vanilla keeps it at a distance.
Ivan Illianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Illianenko fails to land the takedown.
A jab lands there for Vanilla.

It looks like Ivan Illianenko has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Illianenko tries to clinch but Vanilla is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A right-left combo lands from Vanilla.
Vanilla throws a nice looking combination but Illianenko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Illianenko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Vanilla circles away from the clinch attempt
and Vanilla counters with a two punch combo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Illianenko changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vanilla tries to avoid it but Illianenko manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vanilla to the ground. Vanilla escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Illianenko throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Vanilla counters with a stiff right hand.
Illianenko fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Illianenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vanilla scores with a nice right hand.
Illianenko fails with a takedown attempt.
Illianenko throws a combination that misses
and Vanilla counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vanilla throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Illianenko.
Pena Vanilla seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Illianenko fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Illianenko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Illianenko pushes Vanilla up against the cage in a clinch.
Vanilla wants to get back to striking at distance but Illianenko won't allow it.
Illianenko goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Vanilla has had enough of the clinch but Illianenko keeps him there for the moment.
Illianenko can't find room to land a body shot as Vanilla controls the action.
Illianenko can't find room to land a body shot as Vanilla controls the action.
Vanilla blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Vanilla goes for a takedown in the clinch but Illianenko prevents it.
Illianenko keeps control of Vanilla as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Illianenko leaning against his opponent.
Illianenko tries for a takedown. No joy.
Illianenko tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Vanilla smiles and moves away.
Illianenko checks a low kick from Vanilla.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Vanilla wants to clinch.

Illianenko closes the distance and clinches.
Illianenko tries to throw a body punch but Vanilla avoids it by throwing Illianenko back against the cage.
Illianenko pushes off an fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Illianenko dodges an elbow strike from Vanilla.
Vanilla stops a takedown attempt from Illianenko.
Illianenko drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Vanilla gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Illianenko can't find room to land a body shot as Vanilla controls the action.

Illianenko turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Illianenko manages to end up in side control.
Illianenko working away.
Vanilla is trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Illianenko working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Illianenko tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Illianenko has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Vanilla is trying to work for a sweep but Illianenko has mounted him!

Illianenko with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Vanilla tries to hold on but Illianenko pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Illianenko misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Illianenko throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

Illianenko has hold of Vanilla's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Vanilla manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

Illianenko wants to finish this one by submission but Vanilla is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Illianenko.
Vanilla wants to hold on but Illianenko pushes him away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vanilla tries to reverse the position but Illianenko maintains control.
Illianenko unloading with bombs!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pena Vanilla showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ivan Illianenko's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Illianenko fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Illianenko tries to clinch but Vanilla is having none of it.
Illianenko throws a combination that misses
and Vanilla counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Illianenko is looking to clinch.
Illianenko shoots for a double leg takedown but Vanilla sprawls well. He's pushed Illianenko's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Illianenko wants to clinch up but Vanilla keeps it at a distance.
Illianenko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Illianenko tries to clinch up but Vanilla circles away and keeps his distance.
A head kick misses from Vanilla.
Illianenko lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vanilla circles away quickly and effectively.
Vanilla works Illianenko's body with a nice hook.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vanilla thuds his right hand into Illianenko's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Illianenko shoots in but Vanilla avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Illianenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Illianenko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Illianenko wants to clinch but Vanilla slips to the side
and Illianenko takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Illianenko swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting Vanilla counter with a right hand.
Illianenko shoots for a takedown but Vanilla saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Illianenko shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Vanilla as he jumps to the side.
Illianenko takes one to the side of the head.
Vanilla keeps the fight on the outside.
Vanilla cracks Illianenko with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Vanilla throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vanilla stuffs the takedown attempt from Illianenko. Illianenko gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vanilla lands a jab.
Illianenko clinches but Vanilla breaks the clinch
enabling Vanilla to counter with a crisp jab.
Vanilla bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Illianenko's head.
Illianenko shoots for a double leg takedown but Vanilla sprawls well. He's pushed Illianenko's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Illianenko tries to clinch up but Vanilla circles away and keeps his distance.
Illianenko fails in his attempt to clinch.
Good work by Illianenko as he checks the leg kick.

Illianenko moves into the clinch successfully.
Vanilla wants to break free but Illianenko has control.
Vanilla wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Vanilla wants to get back to striking at distance but Illianenko won't allow it.
Illianenko prevents Vanilla from breaking the clinch.
Vanilla is trying to break the clinch but Illianenko has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Illianenko breaks from the clinch.
Vanilla looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Vanilla swats away the attempt to clinch by Illianenko.
Illianenko is looking to clinch.
A left and a right from Illianenko both land. Nice combination.
Illianenko misses with a combination
and Vanilla counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Illianenko shoots in looking for a takedown. Vanilla tries to sprawl out of it but Illianenko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Vanilla manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Illianenko doesn't manage to clinch there - Vanilla circles away.
Vanilla misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vanilla fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Illianenko manages to avoid it.
Illianenko tries to clinch up.
Vanilla will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Vanilla gets caught flat footed, as Illianenko shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Illianenko sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Vanilla's guard.
Ivan Illianenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Illianenko lands strikes from half guard.

Illianenko is looking for a kimura but Vanilla is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Illianenko to get the leverage.

Illianenko is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Illianenko thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Vanilla is looking to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pena Vanilla comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Vanilla has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Pena Vanilla!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Pena Vanilla!
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Pena Vanilla!

Pena Vanilla wins by unanimous decision!