PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andrey Ivanov (ranked 4182 p4p, 489 weight class) and Zuillnic Canto (ranked 3064 p4p, 409 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Ivanov
vs
Canto

190 cm
20
220 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
201 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Arcticus University: London

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrey Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Zuillnic Canto!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Canto slips a straight right by Ivanov.
Ivanov throws a big shot that misses.
Zuillnic Canto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Canto moves out of range of the strikes.
Canto bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Canto shoots in for a takedown but Ivanov shows good takedown defense.
Canto tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ivanov swivels and escapes.
Canto misses with a left hand
enabling Ivanov to counter with a crisp jab.
Canto lands with a right hand.
Canto fails with the takedown.
Ivanov has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Andrey Ivanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zuillnic Canto.
Ivanov throws a hook but Canto avoids it easily.
Canto looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ivanov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Canto lands a glancing blow to the side of Ivanov's head.
Canto misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ivanov.
Canto uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ivanov.
Canto misses with an uppercut. Ivanov saw that one coming.
Canto throws a big shot that misses.

Ivanov tries to sprawl but Canto drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Canto wants to work for an arm triangle but Ivanov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Ivanov actively working from the bottom here.

Ivanov is defending against the submission attempts here by Canto.
Ivanov is looking to improve his position.
Canto is thwarting Ivanov's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Ivanov gets back to full guard.
Canto trying to control but Ivanov is working from the bottom.
Ivanov is trying to control the position but Canto postures up.

Ivanov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Canto is aware though and is defending well.

Canto got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ivanov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Canto has managed to get both his arms back between Ivanov's legs - danger averted.
Canto looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Ivanov trying to keep a closed guard but Canto is proving a slippery customer.
Ivanov can't keep his opponent in guard - Canto advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov actively working from the bottom here.
Canto is keen to just control but Ivanov is a slippery customer.
Ivanov is trying to get back to full guard.
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.
Ivanov won't allow Canto to pass to mount.
Ivanov is looking to control Canto's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ivanov avoid being mounted?
Canto seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ivanov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Ivanov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Ivanov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Canto wants to free his trapped foot but Ivanov is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

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

Ivanov actively working from the bottom here.
Canto looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Canto is keen to just control but Ivanov is a slippery customer.
Ivanov is trying to maintain the position but Canto is very close to passing his half guard.
Canto controlling the action here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Canto throws a jab but it's blocked by Ivanov.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ivanov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Canto fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ivanov avoids it really well and circles away.

Canto closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Canto lands in his opponent's guard.
Canto trying to control the position from guard on top but Ivanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ivanov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Canto doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Canto manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Canto stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ivanov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov is trying to control the position but Canto postures up.

Ivanov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Canto defends it easily.

Ivanov working for a triangle but Canto defends it easily.
Canto trying to control but Ivanov is working from the bottom.

Ivanov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Ivanov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov keeping full guard, as Canto tries to pass.
Canto pushes down on Ivanov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Canto seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ivanov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ivanov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Canto is working away from the top position though.
Ivanov wants to get back to full guard.
Ivanov manages to get to full guard.
Ivanov is trying to keep Canto in close.

That's eight 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.
Canto trying to control the position from guard on top but Ivanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Canto stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ivanov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ivanov trying to keep a closed guard but Canto is proving a slippery customer.

Ivanov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Ivanov is looking for a triangle but Canto pushes his legs off easily.

Ivanov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Canto trying to control but Ivanov is working from the bottom.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Ivanov working for a triangle but Canto defends it easily.
Canto is pushing down on Ivanov's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ivanov is fighting to maintain full guard but Canto has managed to sneak the leg through.

Canto is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Canto wants to take a breather but Ivanov is having none of it.
Ivanov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Canto's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Canto's back!

Ivanov is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Canto is defending well though. Ivanov let's go of the attempt for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Zuillnic Canto will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Canto fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Canto misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ivanov.
Canto moves out of range of the strikes.
Canto is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Ivanov with a body shot.

Canto shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Ivanov trying to control here.
Zuillnic Canto has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ivanov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Canto is working for a kimura but Ivanov is defending it quite comfortably.
Canto is thwarting Ivanov's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov is not content to let Canto control the position.
Ivanov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ivanov is working hard here to advance position.
Ivanov is refusing to be controlled, as Canto sits in half guard.
Canto is pressing down on Ivanov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ivanov is holding on for now.

Canto looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Ivanov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Canto pulls his head out easily.
Ivanov gets full guard.
Canto trying to control the position from guard on top but Ivanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ivanov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Canto can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Ivanov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Canto defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Canto defends it easily.

Ivanov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Ivanov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Canto works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ivanov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Canto's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Canto's back!

Ivanov looking to break Canto's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Canto remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Ivanov will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ivanov is not going to allow Canto to sit and survive in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov is looking for the choke from the back position but Canto is controlling his hands well.

Ivanov is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Ivanov is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Canto just trying to survive but Ivanov is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Ivanov working for the choke.
Canto looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Canto is trying to break free.
Canto is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Ivanov off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Canto is trying to remain composed but Ivanov is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Ivanov lands with a hammerfist to the side of Canto's head.

Ivanov is persistently looking for the submission but Canto is defending it well.
Ivanov doesn't have the hooks in and Canto manages to turn into his guard.
Ivanov controls Canto momentarily but Canto frees himself.
Canto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov throws his legs up looking for a submission but Canto uses it to pass to side control.
Ivanov gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Canto seems to be working for a kimura but Ivanov defends the submission attempt.

Ivanov looking for submissions off his back.

Canto is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ivanov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Canto.
Canto wants to control but Ivanov is keeping him busy.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov looking for submissions off his back.

Canto seems to be looking for submissions.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Canto works his way into side control.

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

Canto is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ivanov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ivanov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Canto's best efforts.
Canto trying to mount his opponent but Ivanov defends it.
Canto trying to control the action but Ivanov is working from the bottom.
Canto works his way into side control.

Canto is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ivanov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Ivanov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Canto's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov looking for submissions off his back.
Canto passes to side control.
Ivanov is trying to control Canto's posture but Canto avoids it.
Ivanov is not content to let Canto control the position.
Ivanov manages to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Ivanov is defending against the submission attempts here by Canto.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Zuillnic Canto.
I think Canto 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Zuillnic Canto!
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Zuillnic Canto!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Zuillnic Canto!

Zuillnic Canto wins by unanimous decision!
Zuillnic Canto was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.