PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Pranjic (ranked 24540 p4p, 0 weight class) and Athos Magno (ranked 6386 p4p, 527 weight class). Pranjic comes to the cage accompanied by Plain Jane. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Pranjic
vs
Magno

180 cm
18
170 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

180 cm
23
169 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ivan Pranjic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Athos Magno!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Daniel Franklin and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Magno throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Pranjic counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Magno is lucky that one didn't land flush.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Magno has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Pranjic looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Magno throws a right and a left that Pranjic avoids nicely.
Magno swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
We've been hearing reports that Pranjic has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Magno throws a right and a left that Pranjic avoids nicely.
Magno throws a series of punches but Pranjic moves out of range.

Pranjic looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Pranjic thows a huge punch but Magno dodges it nicely.
Pranjic stops Magno from getting back to his feet.
Pranjic thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Pranjic not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pranjic decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Magno fails to land with a series of punches.
Magno throws a right and a left that Pranjic avoids nicely.
Pranjic looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Pranjic lands a head kick!
Magno throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Pranjic.
Magno swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Pranjic shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Pranjic won't allow Magno to get back to his feet.
Pranjic trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magno working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pranjic.
Pranjic trying to control the position from guard on top but Magno is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Magno is looking to stand up but Pranjic isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Magno lands a jab-cross combination.
A head kick misses from Pranjic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magno shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Pranjic eats them both and turns towards Magno to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Magno misses with a two punch combination.
Pranjic scores with a head kick.
Magno swinging wildly here.
Pranjic scores with a kick to the midsection.
Pranjic has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Magno throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Pranjic.
Pranjic lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Magno rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pranjic moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Pranjic gets a clinch.

Magno breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pranjic rushes Magno and presses him up against the cage.
Pranjic pressing his opponent against the cage.

Magno breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Magno fails to land with a series of punches.
Pranjic closes the distance and clinches up with Magno, looking for a takedown. Pranjic pushes Magno against the cage but Magno circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Pranjic looks to land a right hand but Magno moved out of range.
Pranjic has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Magno throws a right and a left that both miss.
Pranjic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Magno.
Magno takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Athos Magno will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Magno swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Magno blocks a head kick by Pranjic.
Magno throws a right and a left that both miss.
Magno misses with the combination.
Pranjic wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Pranjic throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Magno throws a series of punches but Pranjic moves out of range.
Pranjic scores with a kick to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Magno looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Magno will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Pranjic swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Magno tries to keep at a distance but Pranjic has taken the fight into the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Magno manages to break the clinch.

Pranjic darts in and clinches Magno up against the cage.

Magno breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Magno throws a right hand that Pranjic ducks under and follows up with a left that Pranjic also avoids with ease.
Magno looks to land a combination but Pranjic avoids it well.
Magno falls off balance throwing a combination

and Pranjic moves into the clinch.

Magno pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Magno will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Pranjic throws a head kick that half lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magno misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Pranjic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Magno.
Pranjic misses with a head kick.
Ivan Pranjic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pranjic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pranjic dodges the punch combination from Magno.
Pranjic tries to counter with a takedown but Magno is quick to defend against it.
Pranjic changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Magno tries to avoid it but Pranjic manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Magno to the ground. Magno escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pranjic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Magno throws a series of strikes that have Pranjic backpedaling.
Pranjic goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Magno blocks a head kick by Pranjic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magno takes a kick to the side of the head.
Magno looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Magno pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Pranjic back to the cage. Magno follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Pranjic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Despite the aggression on Magno's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Pranjic throws a sloppy head kick and Magno moves out of range easily.
Magno is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Pranjic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Magno goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Pranjic throws a sloppy head kick and Magno moves out of range easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Magno breaks from the clinch.
Magno throws a right and a left that Pranjic avoids nicely.
Magno rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pranjic moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pranjic lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Pranjic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pranjic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Magno.
Sloppy strikes from Magno. Those never looked like landing.
Pranjic dodges the punch combination from Magno.

Pranjic has closed the distance and engaged Magno in a clinch.

Magno breaks the clinch.
No joy there for Magno, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Magno throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Pranjic.
Magno looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Pranjic went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Athos Magno showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Pranjic throws a head kick that Magno semi-blocks.
Pranjic is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Magno.
Pranjic throws a jab but it's blocked by Magno.
Magno works over Pranjic's head and body with a nice combination.
Magno throws a series of punches but Pranjic moves out of range.
Magno throws a series of punches but Pranjic avoids them all with ease.
Some wild striking there from Magno.
Pranjic cracks the inside of Magno's front leg.
Magno tries to bum rush Pranjic with a series of wild strikes but Pranjic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Magno throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Horrible takedown attempt by Pranjic or perhaps it was just good defense by Magno, which made it look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pranjic throws a sloppy head kick and Magno moves out of range easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pranjic has a takedown stuffed.
Athos Magno seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Magno tries to bum rush Pranjic with a series of wild strikes but Pranjic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Magno throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Pranjic.
Magno throws a right and a left that both miss.
Pranjic scores with a head kick.
Pranjic throws a nice looking combination but Magno bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Pranjic closes the distance and pushes Magno back into the cage.

Magno breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pranjic tries a head kick but it misses.
Magno throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magno lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Pranjic circles away quickly and effectively.
Pranjic lands a head kick. Magno smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Magno gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Magno avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Magno can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Pranjic controls the pace.
Magno wants to stand and escape but Pranjic is having none of it.
Pranjic missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Pranjic postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Magno is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Pranjic, into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Magno decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Pranjic, up you get!
Magno misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Pranjic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Magno.
Pranjic scores with a head kick.
Magno throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pranjic scores with a head kick.
Pranjic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Magno is looking for the big counter here.
Pranjic throws a head kick but Magno moves out of range.
Magno falls off balance throwing a combination

and Pranjic moves into the clinch.
Pranjic tries for a takedown but Magno manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Pranjic. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Magno's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Pranjic fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Athos Magno is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Magno misses with the combination.
Magno looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Magno misses with a wild combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Athos Magno comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Magno winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Athos Magno!
Ivan Pranjic spoke after the fight, saying 'I will back!'.