PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sanford Fanning (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Strashko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanford Fanning could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ivan Strashko's chin.

Fanning
vs
Strashko

182 cm
27
216 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

188 cm
31
210 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Sanford Fanning!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ivan Strashko!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Taro Takaoka and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Fanning enables Strashko to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Fanning manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Strashko got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fanning has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Strashko has managed to get both his arms back between Fanning's legs - danger averted.
Fanning controlling the position.
Fanning looking for a sweep. Not yet Fanning, not yet.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Strashko lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Strashko is in close to Fanning's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Strashko looking to sit in guard and control but Fanning gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Strashko has a closed guard, preventing Fanning from standing up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fanning postures up in Strashko's guard and throws a big left but Strashko blocks it.
Fanning in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fanning trying to control but Strashko is working from the bottom.
Fanning throwing strikes from guard but Strashko blocks nicely.
Fanning pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Strashko is keeping the position for now.
Fanning with a flurry of punches that miss.
Strashko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Strashko wants to get back to his feet but Fanning is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Fanning wants to stand and escape but instead Strashko has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Strashko wants to stand but Fanning has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Fanning preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Fanning looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Strashko must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Fanning working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Strashko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Strashko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Strashko won't allow Fanning to sweep him here.
Fanning controls Strashko momentarily but Strashko frees himself.
Fanning utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strashko wanted to stand there but Fanning had control of the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Strashko smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
An inside leg kick from Fanning misses.
Strashko wants to counter the offense by Fanning and move into the clinch position.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Strashko.
Fanning avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Fanning misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fanning is looking to clinch.
Strashko shoots in for a takedown but Fanning shows good takedown defense.

Fanning shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Strashko working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fanning.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Fanning won't allow Strashko to get back to his feet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Fanning accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strashko is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Fanning is controlling him.
Fanning postures up in Strashko's guard and throws a big left but Strashko blocks it.
Fanning advances position into side control!
Fanning looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Strashko is avoiding damage well.
Fanning sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Strashko is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Fanning decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Fanning takes a swing at Strashko's ribcage but misses.
Fanning keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Fanning appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Strashko just misses with a punch to the body.
Fanning waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Strashko.
Fanning throws a looping overhand right but Strashko ducks down to avoid it.
Fanning lands a nice leg kick that just misses Strashko's sensitive parts.
Strashko throws a right and a left that both miss.
Strashko blocks the body kick.
Strashko throws the left hand but Fanning avoids the punch easily.
Fanning moves in looking to clinch but Strashko pushes him off.

Fanning gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Strashko to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Fanning keeping moving, preventing Strashko from controlling successfully.
Fanning 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.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Fanning is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Strashko in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Fanning trying to keep a closed guard but Strashko is proving a slippery customer.

Fanning escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Strashko gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Strashko with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Strashko trying to control the position from guard on top but Fanning is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Strashko is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Strashko tries to free his leg and advance position but Fanning is retaining full guard.
Fanning looking to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Fanning ducks under a wild hook from Strashko.
Fanning throws a front kick aimed at Strashko's knee but Strashko avoids it well.
Strashko feints a counter leg kick.
Strashko throws a head kick that misses.
Strashko takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A jab from Fanning does it's job there.
A nice inside leg kick there by Fanning. That's going to slow Strashko down.
Strashko tries to bum rush Fanning with a series of wild strikes but Fanning uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fanning throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Fanning throws a hook to the side of Strashko's head but Strashko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Strashko! But no joy.
Fanning lands with a thumping leg kick.
Fanning takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Crunch! Strashko slams his shin into Fanning's torso.
Strashko checks a leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Strashko closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Strashko avoids the body shot from Fanning.
Strashko loads up on a big right hand but Fanning slips the punch.
Strashko lands with a thumping leg kick.
Strashko connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Fanning throws a sloppy head kick and Strashko moves out of range easily.
Fanning looks to land a combination. Strashko sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Strashko looks for a takedown but Fanning sprawls well.
Sanford Fanning has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Strashko.
Strashko lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Fanning at a distance.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Fanning throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Strashko turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Fanning cracks Strashko with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Fanning takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Fanning is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Strashko.
Strashko tries a head kick but it misses.
Fanning is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Strashko.
Strashko shoots for a double leg takedown but Fanning sprawls well. He's pushed Strashko's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Strashko fails to land with a series of punches.
Fanning connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Strashko rushes Fanning and presses him up against the ropes.
Strashko blocks an uppercut.
Strashko stalling in the clinch but Fanning improves position.
A nice right hand lands inside from Fanning.
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 Sanford Fanning will probably get the nod.
That's time! Fanning's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Fanning lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Strashko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fanning moves away.

Strashko has taken the fight to the clinch.

Strashko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fanning tries to clinch up.
Fanning walks into a straight right hand from Strashko.
Fanning scores with the left hand. Strashko knows he should have avoided that one.

Fanning closes the distance and pushes Strashko back into the ropes.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Fanning.
Fanning misses with a punch on the inside.
Strashko prevents a body shot from Fanning.
Fanning blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fanning misses with a body punch.
Fanning lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Strashko blocks an uppercut.
A bit of stalling here from Strashko.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Strashko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Strashko fails with an attempt to clinch.

Fanning drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Strashko has a closed guard, preventing Fanning from standing up.
Fanning trying to control the position from guard on top but Strashko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sanford Fanning overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fanning is looking to work some ground and pound but Strashko has wrist control.
Fanning in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Fanning has gone for a leg lock! Strashko slips out almost immediately though and dives into Fanning's guard.

Fanning working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Strashko.
Strashko wants to control from the top but Fanning keeps moving.
Strashko wants to stand but Fanning has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fanning working a defensive guard here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Strashko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fanning.
Strashko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Strashko feints and as Fanning raises his hands in defense, Strashko changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Fanning is edging up against the ropes. He's using the ropes to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
A left hand lands to the body for Fanning.
Fanning lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Strashko or not.
Fanning softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Fanning lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fanning misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fanning keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Strashko's efforts to push away.
Fanning throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fanning has a couple of punches blocked by Strashko.
Strashko's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Fanning goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fanning misses with a body punch.
A body shot lands from Fanning.
Strashko is breathing heavily.
Fanning misses with a body punch.
Fanning can't find room to land a body shot as Strashko controls the action.
Fanning scores with a shot to the side of Strashko's head.
Strashko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Fanning is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Strashko can do to turn this around?
Fanning misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Strashko blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fanning has a couple of punches blocked by Strashko.
Fanning lands with a right to the head.
Fanning works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Fanning.
Fanning is leaning against Strashko and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Fanning.
Fanning makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Fanning digs a right hand into Strashko's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Strashko's gas tank.
Fanning lands a hook that snaps the head of Strashko backwards.
Fanning misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Fanning fails to land.
Nice body punch from Fanning - that landed with a thud.
Fanning can't find room to land a body shot as Strashko controls the action.
Sanford Fanning has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A shot in the inside from Fanning.
Strashko prevents a body shot from Fanning.
Fanning working aggressively here.
Good body shot from Fanning.
Fanning stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Strashko blocks an uppercut.
Fanning lands a body shot.
Fanning tries a body shot but Strashko blocks it.
Fanning misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fanning blocking some punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Strashko.
Fanning lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Strashko misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Strashko blocking some punches.
Fanning can't find room to land a body shot as Strashko controls the action.
Fanning blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fanning scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Fanning.
Strashko working aggressively here.
Strashko blocks a body shot from Fanning.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Strashko misses with a hook from the clinch.
Fanning throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Fanning fails to land.
Fanning misses with a short punch on the inside.
Strashko swings wildly with an uppercut but Fanning uses good head movement to avoid it.
Strashko swings wildly with an uppercut but Fanning uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fanning tries a body shot but Strashko blocks it.
Fanning goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fanning scores with a hook to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Strashko.
Fanning blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Strashko breaks from the clinch.
Sanford Fanning is winning the standup battle so far.

Fanning clinches.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Fanning misses with some punches.
Fanning lands with a short shot to the head.
Still in the clinch, Fanning scores with a nice short uppercut.

Strashko is rocked!
Fanning scores with a shot to the side of Strashko's head.
Strashko is still on wobbly legs! Can Fanning finish him?
Fanning creates some distance for himself and unleashes a massive uppercut that sends Strashko's eyes rolling into the back of his head! Strashko drops to his knees and Fanning pours it on with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 8:27 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Sanford Fanning!
After winning the bout, Sanford Fanning thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
In defeat, Ivan Strashko stepped up to the mic, saying 'I got bribed to lose. Would have won otherwise.'.