PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Valerii Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gunnar Nash (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Ivanov
vs
Nash

172 cm
20
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
24
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Valerii Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Gunnar Nash!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, David Hoff and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nash shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ivanov but Ivanov pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Nash instigates a clinch.
Ivanov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ivanov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Nash is defending well.

Nash breaks from the clinch.
Nash circles away from the clinch attempt.
Some bone on bone action there as Nash checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Ivanov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ivanov. Nash does a little dance to reset his feet.

Nash closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nash lands in his opponent's guard.
Ivanov has a closed guard, preventing Nash from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nash lands a couple of digs.
Ivanov keeping moving, preventing Nash from controlling successfully.
Ivanov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nash is stalling in the full guard.
Nash throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nash is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Nash drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ivanov is trying to keep Nash in close.
Nash stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ivanov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ivanov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Nash throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nash passes Ivanov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ivanov is looking for a sweep. Nash is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nash slows the pace down in half guard.
Nash blocks the strikes from Ivanov.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nash is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ivanov sees it coming and defends easily.
Ivanov wants to improve his position but Nash is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Nash stands up and beckons Ivanov to join him on the feet.
Nash moves in looking to clinch but Ivanov pushes him off.
Ivanov fires out a quick counter leg kick but Nash just manages to avoid it.

Nash has closed the distance and engaged Ivanov in a clinch.
Nash unloads a knee to the mid-section.
The referee calls for Ivanov to work.
Ivanov wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Valerii Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Nash pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ivanov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ivanov shoots in for a takedown but Nash shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Nash dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ivanov wants to clinch but Nash slips to the side
and Nash counters with a stiff right hand.
Nash tries to clinch there but Ivanov circles away.

Nash throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Ivanov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Nash is in Ivanov's guard.
Nash being controlled here momentarily.
Ivanov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Nash engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nash distracts Ivanov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nash passes Ivanov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ivanov is trying to stand.
Ivanov is not content to let Nash control the position.
Ivanov is trying to get back to full guard.

Ivanov is defending against the submission attempts here by Nash.

Ivanov has one foot on Nash's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nash shoots in and drives through. Ivanov sprawls well.
Nash tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ivanov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ivanov tries for a takedown but Nash circles away easily

and Nash counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ivanov won't be happy with that.
Nash wants to control but Ivanov is keeping him busy.

Nash stands up and beckons Ivanov to his feet.
Nash avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nash connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nash goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Nash shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ivanov as he avoids it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Ivanov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Nash leaves Ivanov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ivanov shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Valerii Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ivanov shoots in for a takedown but Nash shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ivanov misses with a low kick.
Nash tries to clinch up but Ivanov circles away and keeps his distance.
Nash has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Nash moves into the clinch.
Nash drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Nash escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nash clinches.
Ivanov tries to pull guard but Nash forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Nash is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Ivanov to keep the fight standing.
Nash jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ivanov walks away with a smile on his face. Nash gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ivanov tries to clinch up but Nash circles away and keeps his distance.
Nash closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ivanov circles away.
Ivanov throws a body kick that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ivanov dives in and grabs Nash's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nash pushes down on Ivanov's head and hops out.
Ivanov darts in looking for a takedown but Nash gets double underhooks and turns Ivanov into the cage.
Nash tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ivanov swivels and escapes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Nash showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Nash rushes Ivanov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Nash tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A frustrated look appears on Ivanov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ivanov as Nash tries to tie him up.

Nash's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Nash closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Ivanov did well to prevent Nash getting side control.

Ivanov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nash pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nash is nestled in close to Ivanov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Nash is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ivanov tries to kick Nash off but Nash keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nash sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Nash lands a nice short elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Ivanov trying to control but Nash postures up.

Nash is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ivanov is just riding it out for now. Nash eventually gives up the hold.
Nash wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ivanov keeps working.
Ivanov is controlling Nash's position as best he can from this difficult position.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov has closed the distance and engaged Nash in a clinch.

Nash's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nash defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ivanov.

Ivanov gets tackled into the cage by Nash. Nash maintains the clinch.

Ivanov has clasped his hands together around Nash's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Nash throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

Nash gets a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nash jumps guard but Ivanov stands there with Nash around his waist. Nash gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nash tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ivanov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Valerii Ivanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gunnar Nash.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov lands a takedown into guard.

Nash pushes Ivanov off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Nash fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ivanov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nash sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ivanov somewhat.
Nash looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ivanov closes the distance and clinches up with Nash, looking for a takedown. Ivanov pushes Nash against the cage but Nash circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Nash shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ivanov napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Nash is looking to take a break and control but Ivanov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Nash wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ivanov, who protects the arm well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gunnar Nash comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nash has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 27:30
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gunnar Nash!
Gunnar Nash thanked the fans post fight for their support.