PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Lyubenov (ranked 4709 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ambe Ambe (ranked 4401 p4p, 0 weight class). Ambe has chosen Young Thug - Harambe as his entrance music. 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?

Lyubenov
vs
Ambe

182 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
167 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

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, Ivan Lyubenov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ambe Ambe!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Winston Alpacca and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lyubenov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ambe.
Lyubenov lands an overhand right.
Lyubenov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A swing and a miss from Ambe.
Lyubenov misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Ambe counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ambe blocks a jab.
A little jabbing left from Ambe on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Lyubenov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
It looked like Lyubenov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Ambe.
Lyubenov lands a slapping body shot.
Ambe slips a straight right by Lyubenov.

Ambe moves into the clinch.
Ambe scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Lyubenov scores with a nice hook to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ambe lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ambe blocks an uppercut.
Ambe lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lyubenov backwards.
Lyubenov struggles to land a body shot inside as Ambe controls his hands.
Lyubenov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ambe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lyubenov lands a left hand.
Ambe lands an uppercut.
Ambe wants a takedown but no success here.
A body shot lands from Lyubenov.
Lyubenov misses with a punch on the inside.
Lyubenov misses with a punch on the inside.

Lyubenov manages to break the clinch.
Lyubenov throws a jab when Ambe was well out of range.

Ambe rushes Lyubenov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Lyubenov blocking some punches.
Lyubenov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Lyubenov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ambe working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Lyubenov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ambe blocks a body shot from Lyubenov.
Lyubenov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Lyubenov can't find room to land a body shot as Ambe controls the action.
Ambe is stalling here.
A head punch on the inside from Lyubenov fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Lyubenov.
Ambe is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lyubenov can't break the clinch.
Lyubenov takes a shot to the head.
Ambe blocking some punches.
Ambe's coach down at Island Sparring was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Ambe's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Ambe lands with a light punch inside.
Lyubenov tries a body shot but Ambe blocks it.
A shot in the inside from Ambe.
Lyubenov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Lyubenov throws a head punch that misses.
Ambe has Lyubenov pushed against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Lyubenov fails to land.
Lyubenov misses with some punches.
Lyubenov has a couple of punches blocked by Ambe.
Lyubenov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Ambe.

Ambe has hold of one of Lyubenov's legs. Lyubenov is fighting the takedown attempt but Ambe gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Ambe throwing strikes but missing.
Ambe wants to control from the top but Lyubenov keeps moving.
Ambe won't allow Lyubenov to sweep him here.
Lyubenov working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ambe throwing strikes but missing.
Lyubenov controls Ambe momentarily but Ambe frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ambe missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ambe trying to control but Lyubenov is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Lyubenov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Lyubenov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A telegraphed right hand from Lyubenov misses the target.
Ambe fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lyubenov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Lyubenov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ambe moves away.
Ambe misses with a straight left.
Lyubenov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Lyubenov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Ambe moves into range and clinches up with Lyubenov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lyubenov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lyubenov misses with the head strike.
A short left from Ambe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ambe Ambe will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ambe Ambe's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nice defenses there by Lyubenov.
Good exchange - Ambe coming out on top.
Lyubenov scores with a shot to the body.
Ambe is looking to clinch.
Ambe tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Lyubenov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ambe thinking.
Ambe uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lyubenov.
Ivan Lyubenov is winning the standup battle so far.

Lyubenov gets tackled into the cage by Ambe. Ambe maintains the clinch.
Lyubenov blocking some punches.
Ambe blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ambe lands a hook to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lyubenov.
Ambe lands with a short shot to the head.
Ambe gets through Lyubenov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Lyubenov throws a punch but it's blocked by Ambe.
Ambe lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lyubenov backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ambe content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ambe.
Lyubenov misses with a punch on the inside.
Lyubenov throws a punch but it's blocked by Ambe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lyubenov throws a punch but it's blocked by Ambe.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ambe.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Lyubenov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lyubenov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ambe's elbow.
Lyubenov struggles to land a body shot inside as Ambe controls his hands.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ambe creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Lyubenov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Lyubenov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ambe softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ambe lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lyubenov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lyubenov can't find room to land a body shot as Ambe controls the action.
Lyubenov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lyubenov swings wildly with an uppercut but Ambe uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ambe lands with a right to the head.
Lyubenov has had enough of the clinch but Ambe keeps him there for the moment.
Ambe is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Lyubenov is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lyubenov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ambe blocks an uppercut.
Ambe lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lyubenov backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lyubenov misses with a punch on the inside.
Ambe takes a shot to the head.
Ambe blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ambe prevents Lyubenov from breaking the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Lyubenov fails to land.
Lyubenov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Lyubenov is looking to break free of the clinch but Ambe has double underhooks.
Lyubenov misses with a body punch.
Ambe fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ambe has Lyubenov pushed against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Ambe takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Ambe receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Ambe taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lyubenov swings wildly with an uppercut but Ambe uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Lyubenov fails to land.
Ambe blocking some punches.
Lyubenov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ambe misses with a punch on the inside.
Ambe lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lyubenov backwards.
Ambe lands with a short shot to the head.
Ambe controlling the action here for a moment.
Ambe has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lyubenov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Lyubenov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ambe throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Donk. Lyubenov catches Ambe right on the button with a cross.
Lyubenov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Lyubenov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Lyubenov clobbers Ambe with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lyubenov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Ambe has taken the fight to the clinch.

Ambe gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lyubenov is not content to let Ambe control the position.
Ambe prevents Lyubenov from improving his position.
Lyubenov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Lyubenov tries to get out of the position.
Ambe is keen to just control but Lyubenov is a slippery customer.
Ambe missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Lyubenov tries to roll over but Ambe keeps him under control.
Lyubenov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ambe is working away from the top position though.
Lyubenov is not content to let Ambe control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ambe jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ambe has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A swing and a miss from Lyubenov.
Lyubenov connects with a nice looking jab.
Ambe gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Lyubenov.
Lyubenov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
As Lyubenov backs off Ambe throws a huge counter combo but Lyubenov manages to avoid it all.
Lyubenov throws a jab but it's blocked by Ambe.
Lyubenov throws an overhand right that lands on Ambe's shoulder, as Ambe tries to avoid the shot.

Ambe closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Lyubenov working aggressively here.
Lyubenov working aggressively here.
Lyubenov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lyubenov tries to circle away but Ambe has him pinned against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lyubenov has a couple of punches blocked by Ambe.
Ambe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lyubenov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Still in the clinch, Ambe scores with a nice short uppercut.
Lyubenov tries to throw a body punch but Ambe avoids it by throwing Lyubenov back against the cage.
Lyubenov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lyubenov throws a punch but it's blocked by Ambe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ambe prevents a body shot from Lyubenov.
A short uppercut from Ambe.
Ambe Ambe seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ambe stalling against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ambe.
Ambe prevents a body shot from Lyubenov.
A head punch on the inside from Lyubenov fails to land.

Ambe gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Lyubenov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ambe on the ground.
Lyubenov tries to roll over but Ambe keeps him under control.
Lyubenov is working hard here to advance position.
Ambe is trying to control. Lyubenov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Lyubenov is trying to control but can't.
Lyubenov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ambe.
Ivan Lyubenov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lyubenov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ambe is working away from the top position though.
Ambe throwing shots but Lyubenov is blocking nicely.
Ambe Ambe is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ambe sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Ambe is just content to waste time from the top position. Lyubenov takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Ambe wants to control from the top but Lyubenov keeps moving.
Lyubenov has Ambe pulled in close to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ambe slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Lyubenov throws a hook but Ambe blocks it.
Ambe is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Ambe forces Lyubenov back against the cage and clinches.
Lyubenov working aggressively here.
Lyubenov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lyubenov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ambe lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Lyubenov misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lyubenov.
Lyubenov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ambe blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lyubenov tries to work over Ambe's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Lyubenov misses with a punch to the body.
Ambe lands a nice uppercut.
Ambe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A frustrated look appears on Lyubenov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ambe blocks an uppercut.
Lyubenov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Lyubenov misses with the head strike.
Lyubenov throws a punch but it's blocked by Ambe.
Lyubenov tries a body shot but Ambe blocks it.
Lyubenov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ambe slowing the pace effectively.
Lyubenov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lyubenov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

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 Ivan Lyubenov.
I think Ambe 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 28:30
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30

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