PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kent Fuentes (ranked 25259 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Ivanov (ranked 6160 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Fuentes
vs
Ivanov

222 cm
24
279 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

200 cm
23
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kent Fuentes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Vladimir Ivanov!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ivanov looks to land a body kick but Fuentes moved away.

Ivanov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Fuentes manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Ivanov wants to control from the top but Fuentes keeps moving.
Fuentes is looking to stand up but Ivanov isn't so interested in that idea.
Fuentes is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Ivanov dives into side control.
Ivanov working away.
Fuentes is looking for a sweep.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fuentes is looking for a sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fuentes is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Ivanov has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Ivanov stands up and beckons Fuentes to his feet.
Fuentes fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ivanov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ivanov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Fuentes walks away with a smile on his face. Ivanov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Fuentes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ivanov tries to avoid it but Fuentes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ivanov to the ground. Ivanov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ivanov throws a counter combo.
Ivanov shoots in for a double leg but Fuentes sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ivanov shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Fuentes eats them both and turns towards Ivanov to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

It looks like Kent Fuentes has been cut.
Vladimir Ivanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ivanov has his takedown stuffed
and Fuentes counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kent Fuentes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Ivanov.
Fuentes doesn't manage to clinch there - Ivanov circles away.
Ivanov throws a leg kick but Fuentes checks it.

Ivanov has managed to clinch.

Ivanov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Fuentes uses from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fuentes throws a big right hand that misses.
Fuentes trying to control but Ivanov is working from the bottom.
Fuentes being controlled here momentarily.
Fuentes throwing strikes but missing.
Ivanov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fuentes's guard.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ivanov content to stall in guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Fuentes's guard.
Fuentes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Fuentes is working hard here to advance position.
Fuentes is adopting a defensive guard.
Fuentes will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Fuentes trying to keep a closed guard but Ivanov is proving a slippery customer.
Ivanov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Fuentes working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ivanov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ivanov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ivanov wanted to stand there but Fuentes had control of the position.

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.
Ivanov's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ivanov or perhaps it was just good defense by Fuentes, which made it look bad.

Ivanov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Fuentes pulls Ivanov into guard.

Ivanov decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Fuentes, up you get!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ivanov moves into the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Ivanov manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Ivanov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kent Fuentes's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

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

Ivanov drops back looking for a leg! Fuentes is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Fuentes manages to kick Ivanov off! Ivanov jumps back into Fuentes's guard.

Ivanov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Fuentes wants to get back to his feet but Ivanov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Fuentes keeping moving, preventing Ivanov from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fuentes is trying to keep Ivanov in close.
Ivanov won't allow Fuentes to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fuentes looking to control.
Fuentes 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.
Ivanov forces his way into half guard.
Ivanov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Fuentes pushes Ivanov off looking to stand but Ivanov dives back in and keeps control.
Fuentes wants to improve his position but Ivanov is controlling well.
Ivanov slips a nice elbow through Fuentes's hands, connecting with Fuentes's forehead.
Fuentes is looking to improve his position.
Vladimir Ivanov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ivanov wants to take a breather but Fuentes is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov wants to pass to mount but Fuentes is defending the position.
Ivanov stalling.

Fuentes makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Fuentes fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ivanov avoids it really well and circles away.

Ivanov clinches up against the cage.
Fuentes is trying to break the clinch but Ivanov is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fuentes on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Ivanov manages to break the clinch.

Ivanov manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Fuentes on his heels. He'll look to pass Fuentes's guard now, I'm sure.
Ivanov lands a couple of digs.
Fuentes keeping moving, preventing Ivanov from controlling successfully.
Ivanov won't allow Fuentes to sweep him here.
Ivanov trying to control but Fuentes is working from the bottom.
Fuentes is adopting a defensive guard.
Fuentes wants to sweep here but Ivanov controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fuentes has a closed guard, preventing Ivanov from standing up.

Ivanov stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Fuentes throws a big shot that misses.
Fuentes throws a series of punches but Ivanov avoids them all with ease.
Ivanov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fuentes tries to avoid it but Ivanov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fuentes to the ground. Fuentes escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Fuentes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Ivanov has managed to clinch.

Fuentes gets control of Ivanov's arms and successfully pulls guard. Fuentes will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Ivanov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kent Fuentes'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. This is the final round!

Fuentes fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ivanov tries to counter with a clinch but Fuentes shakes him off and moves away.

Ivanov shoots in and gets a takedown into Fuentes's guard.

Fuentes pushes Ivanov off and gets back to his feet.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ivanov.

Ivanov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Fuentes!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fuentes struggling a bit here.
Fuentes tries to bench press Ivanov off him but Ivanov keeps the position.

Ivanov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Fuentes is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Fuentes wants to control but Ivanov postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ivanov stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Ivanov moves into the clinch successfully.

Fuentes manages to break the clinch.
Fuentes scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Ivanov forces Fuentes back against the cage and clinches.

Ivanov breaks from the clinch.

Ivanov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Fuentes sprawls well initially but Ivanov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ivanov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ivanov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ivanov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov decides to stand and escape the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ivanov shoots in for a double leg but Fuentes sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Ivanov clinches up against the cage.
Fuentes tries to break free but Ivanov pushes him back against the cage.
Ivanov is stalling here.

Ivanov pulls guard successfully.
Fuentes trying to control but Ivanov is working from the bottom.
Fuentes postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Fuentes accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ivanov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fuentes's guard.

Fuentes trying to control the position.

Fuentes looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Fuentes uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Fuentes rushes Ivanov and presses him up against the cage.
Ivanov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Fuentes avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fuentes putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ivanov in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Ivanov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Ivanov breaks the clinch.
No luck for Ivanov with that takedown attempt.
Kent Fuentes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Ivanov.
Fuentes keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Fuentes forces Ivanov back against the cage and clinches.
Ivanov prevents a body shot from Fuentes.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kent Fuentes.
Well Ivanov 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladimir Ivanov!