PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ace Ventura (ranked 2170 p4p, 268 weight class) and Ibo Dalamekov (ranked 2784 p4p, 330 weight class). Dalamekov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Chechen Mob Song. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ventura
vs
Dalamekov

180 cm
19
185 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

167 cm
20
190 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ace Ventura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ibo Dalamekov!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Viktor Lagutenko and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dalamekov closes the distance and clinches up with Ventura, looking for a takedown. Dalamekov pushes Ventura against the cage but Ventura circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ventura has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Shark Tank MMA in the buildup to the fight.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ventura looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Dalamekov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ventura defends it well.
Ventura dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Ventura gets a clinch.
Ventura tries to work over Dalamekov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ventura is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ventura dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Dalamekov is looking to take this one to the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ventura lands a body punch in the clinch.
Ventura tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Dalamekov smiles and moves away.
Dalamekov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Dalamekov shoots in for a double leg but Ventura sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ace Ventura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ibo Dalamekov.
Dalamekov tries for a takedown but Ventura circles away easily
and Ventura counters with a body kick that stops Dalamekov in his tracks momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dalamekov misses with a takedown attempt
and Ventura counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Ventura looking to score a takedown here. Dalamekov is defending well but Ventura drives through and ends up in Dalamekov's guard.
Dalamekov looks winded!
Ventura being controlled here momentarily.
Dalamekov wants to sweep here but Ventura controlling him for the moment.
Ventura looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Dalamekov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ventura is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Dalamekov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ventura is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Dalamekov is trying to control the position but Ventura postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick from Ventura lands but Dalamekov takes it in his stride.
Ventura wants to clinch.
Dalamekov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ventura counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ventura leaves Dalamekov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ventura wants to clinch.
Dalamekov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Ventura moves into the clinch.
Ventura swings wildly with an uppercut but Dalamekov uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ventura misses with a punch to the body.
The referee is keeping an eye on Ventura - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Dalamekov is trying to pull guard but Ventura has him pressed against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Ventura.

Ventura is fighting off a takedown attempt but Dalamekov is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Ventura to the mat. Ventura regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Dalamekov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dalamekov preventing the sweep.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dalamekov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ventura works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ventura utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ventura tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ace Ventura dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Dalamekov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ventura looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Ventura is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dalamekov can do to turn this around?
An elbow from Dalamekov crashes against the mat.
Dalamekov happy to just control the position for now.
Dalamekov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Dalamekov controls the position from side control.
Dalamekov scoring with punches from side control.
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.
Dalamekov misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Ventura takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ventura taking punishment in the form of punches.
Dalamekov with the ground and pound but Ventura regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Dalamekov throwing shots but Ventura is blocking nicely.
Ventura trying to hold on to Dalamekov's head to control him but Dalamekov postures up.
Dalamekov throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Ventura to regain full guard.
Dalamekov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Dalamekov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Dalamekov wants to control from the top but Ventura keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Dalamekov is looking to work some ground and pound but Ventura has wrist control.
Dalamekov throws a strike but Ventura rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Dalamekov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Dalamekov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Ventura wants to control from the top but Dalamekov keeps moving.
Dalamekov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Dalamekov thows a huge punch but Ventura dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dalamekov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Dalamekov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Dalamekov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ventura keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ventura is looking to control Dalamekov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ventura avoid being mounted?
Ventura keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ventura is not content to let Dalamekov control the position.
Dalamekov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ventura keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four 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.
Dalamekov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Dalamekov darts in looking for a takedown but Ventura gets double underhooks and turns Dalamekov into the cage.
Ventura looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Dalamekov fails with the takedown.
Ventura scores with a leg kick.
Dalamekov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ventura counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ace Ventura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ibo Dalamekov.
Dalamekov is breathing heavily.
Dalamekov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ventura fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Dalamekov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dalamekov misses with a takedown attempt - Ventura sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ventura tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dalamekov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ibo Dalamekov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Dalamekov gets a takedown into half guard.
Ventura regains full guard. Nicely done.
Dalamekov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Dalamekov trying to control the position from guard on top but Ventura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ventura wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dalamekov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Dalamekov wants to control from the top but Ventura keeps moving.
Dalamekov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dalamekov with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Dalamekov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ventura was covering up waiting for the punch and Dalamekov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ventura being controlled here, momentarily.
Dalamekov trying to control the position from guard on top but Ventura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dalamekov postures up in Ventura's guard and throws a big left but Ventura blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dalamekov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ventura has momentary wrist control but Dalamekov slips an elbow through the middle.
Ventura is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Dalamekov won't allow Ventura to sweep him here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Dalamekov postures up in Ventura's guard and throws a big left but Ventura blocks it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Dalamekov circles away from the clinch attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dalamekov is defended easily by Ventura.
Ventura changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Dalamekov tries to avoid it but Ventura manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Dalamekov to the ground. Dalamekov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dalamekov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Dalamekov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dalamekov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ventura finds it's way round the side to connect with Dalamekov's head.
Dalamekov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ventura counters with a nice uppercut.
Ace Ventura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ibo Dalamekov.
Dalamekov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ventura but Ventura pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ventura lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Ventura tries to clinch up but Dalamekov circles away and keeps his distance.
Ventura is looking to clinch but Dalamekov is avoiding it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Dalamekov.
Ventura feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Ventura tries to clinch up but Dalamekov circles away and keeps his distance.
Ventura is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ventura is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ventura clinches.

Ventura manages to break the clinch.

Ventura moves into range and clinches up with Dalamekov.
Ventura just leaning against Dalamekov, taking a breather.
Dalamekov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ventura taking a breather.
Ventura tries to stall but Dalamekov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ventura with an attempt at a knee that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dalamekov is looking for a takedown.
Ventura is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ventura will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Dalamekov up against the cage.

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 Ace Ventura.
I think Ventura has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ace Ventura!
Ace Ventura decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.