PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ko Artist (ranked 4195 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Tuvin (ranked 4191 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.

Artist
vs
Tuvin

176 cm
25
163 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

171 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
KO power

Decent wrestler
Great elbows
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ko Artist!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ivan Tuvin!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Steve Smith and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Artist throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Artist gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tuvin lands a damaging elbow.
Tuvin pushes off an throws an elbow but Artist leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Tuvin pressing his opponent against the cage.

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

Tuvin darts in and clinches Artist up against the cage.
Tuvin lands an elbow inside that Artist shrugs off.
Tuvin creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Tuvin lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Artist wants to break the clinch but can't.
Artist tries to break the clinch but Tuvin is controlling the position.
Artist tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Artist tries to circle away but Tuvin has him pinned against the cage.
Tuvin lands a damaging elbow.
Artist avoids a wild elbow strike from Tuvin.
Artist avoids the elbow strike from Tuvin, against the cage.
Tuvin creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Tuvin creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Tuvin.
Tuvin working aggressively here.
Artist connects with a nasty looking knee right to Tuvin's face.

Artist breaks the clinch.

Artist darts in and clinches Tuvin up against the cage.
Tuvin creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Artist blocks a body shot from Tuvin.
Tuvin pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Artist pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Artist closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Artist is trying to break free.
Artist using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tuvin has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Artist tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tuvin avoids it.
Artist is trying to break the clinch but Tuvin is controlling him.
The referee calls for Tuvin to work.

Artist manages to break the clinch.

Tuvin moves into the clinch successfully.
Artist tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Artist blocks an elbow strike from Tuvin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Tuvin throws an elbow but misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Artist is trying to break the clinch but Tuvin is controlling him.
Artist misses with a knee to the head.
Artist avoids a wild elbow strike from Tuvin.
Artist blocks the elbow strike.
Artist blocks the elbow strike.
Artist blocks a body shot from Tuvin.
Tuvin pressing his opponent against the cage.
Tuvin is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Tuvin continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Tuvin prevents Artist from breaking the clinch.

Artist manages to break the clinch.

Tuvin takes the fight into the clinch.
Tuvin creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Artist's defenses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuvin taking a breather.

Artist's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Artist pushes Tuvin up against the cage in a clinch.
Artist misses with a knee to the head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Tuvin throws an elbow but misses.

Artist manages to break the clinch.
Artist lands a head kick!

Tuvin gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Artist dodges an elbow strike from Tuvin.
Tuvin pushes off an throws an elbow but Artist leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Tuvin lands an elbow that stopped Artist in his tracks for a moment.
Tuvin gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Tuvin stalling the fight.
Artist using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tuvin has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tuvin throws an elbow that misses.
Artist can't break the clinch.
Artist dodges an elbow strike from Tuvin.
Tuvin lands a damaging elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

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

Tuvin has taken the fight to the clinch.
Tuvin looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Artist escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Tuvin clinches up with Artist and pushes him back against the cage.
Artist is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Tuvin throws an elbow but misses.
Artist wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Artist takes an elbow to the temple.
Artist prevents a body shot from Tuvin.
Tuvin throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Tuvin lands an elbow inside that Artist shrugs off.
Tuvin creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Artist's defenses.
Tuvin keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Artist's efforts to push away.
Artist is looking to break free of the clinch but Tuvin has double underhooks.
Artist tries to break the clinch but Tuvin is controlling the position.
Artist missing with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Tuvin dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tuvin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Tuvin rushes Artist and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Tuvin throws an elbow but it misses.
Artist wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Artist blocks the elbow strike.
Tuvin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Artist is trying to force a seperation but Tuvin has the dominant position.
Artist blocks an elbow strike from Tuvin.
Tuvin lands an elbow inside.
Tuvin misses with an elbow over the top.
Tuvin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Artist pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Artist rushes Tuvin and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Artist avoids a wild elbow strike from Tuvin.
Tuvin creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Tuvin throws an elbow but misses.
Tuvin throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Artist avoids a wild elbow strike from Tuvin.
Artist looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Artist breaks the clinch.
Tuvin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tuvin tries to clinch there but Artist circles away.

Tuvin moves into the clinch.
Artist is trying to break the clinch but Tuvin is controlling him.
Tuvin lands a damaging elbow.
Artist throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tuvin just leaning against Artist, taking a breather.
Tuvin stalls.
Tuvin misses with an elbow over the top.
Artist blocks an elbow strike from Tuvin.
Tuvin misses with an elbow strike.
Tuvin throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Tuvin pushes off an throws an elbow but Artist leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Artist blocks an elbow strike from Tuvin.
Artist dodges an elbow strike from Tuvin.

Artist escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Artist clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Artist blocks the elbow strike.

Artist manages to break the clinch.
Tuvin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Tuvin closes the distance and pushes Artist back into the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Artist tries to break the clinch but Tuvin is controlling the position.
Artist has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Tuvin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tuvin misses with an elbow over the top.
Tuvin lands a nice elbow.
Tuvin prevents Artist from breaking the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tuvin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Artist avoids a wild elbow strike from Tuvin.
Tuvin keeps control of Artist as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tuvin on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tuvin is stalling here.
Tuvin lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuvin creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Tuvin effectively controlling the action here.
Tuvin displaying some good clinch control by pressing Artist up against the cage.
Tuvin keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Artist's efforts to push away.
Artist has had enough of the clinch but Tuvin keeps him there for the moment.
Ivan Tuvin seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Artist throws a head punch that misses.
Tuvin on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tuvin pushes off an throws an elbow but Artist leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Artist breaks the clinch.
An inside leg kick lands from Artist.
Artist misses with a head kick.
Artist throws a sloppy head kick and Tuvin moves out of range easily.
Tuvin avoids the head kick by Artist.
Tuvin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Artist paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Artist throws a quick counter head kick but Tuvin was just out of range.

Tuvin closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tuvin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tuvin tries to work over Artist's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Artist breaks from the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Tuvin closes the distance and clinches.
Artist tries to circle away but Tuvin has him pinned against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

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

Tuvin pushes Artist up against the cage in a clinch.
Artist takes an elbow to the forehead.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Artist wants to get back to striking at distance but Tuvin won't allow it.
Tuvin creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Artist's defenses.
Tuvin is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Tuvin prevents Artist from breaking the clinch.
Artist blocks an elbow strike.
Tuvin gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Tuvin creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Artist's defenses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Tuvin 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! And we move into the final round!

Artist moves out of range of the strikes.
As Tuvin backs away, Artist returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Tuvin missing with a left hand there. Artist was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Artist throws a quick counter head kick but Tuvin was just out of range.

Artist clinches with his opponent.
Tuvin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Artist dodges an elbow strike from Tuvin.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Tuvin just misses with a elbow thrown towards Artist's brow.
Tuvin gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Tuvin lands an elbow inside that Artist shrugs off.
Artist wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tuvin digs a right hand into Artist's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Artist's gas tank.
Artist wants to get back to striking at distance but Tuvin won't allow it.
Tuvin managing to block the knees to the body from Artist.
Tuvin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Artist can't break the clinch.

Artist's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tuvin throws a body shot but no joy.
Tuvin cracks Artist with a good jab.
Artist throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Artist avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tuvin rushes Artist and presses him up against the cage.
Artist is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tuvin is defending well for now.
Artist blocks an elbow strike from Tuvin.
Tuvin misses with an elbow strike.
Tuvin looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Tuvin is pushing Artist up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Tuvin throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Tuvin throws an elbow that misses.
Artist is trying to force a seperation but Tuvin has the dominant position.
Tuvin working aggressively here.
Tuvin is stalling here.
Artist wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tuvin has him pressed against the cage.
Tuvin pushes off an throws an elbow but Artist leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Tuvin tries a body shot but Artist blocks it.
Artist is looking to break free of the clinch but Tuvin has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Artist rushes Tuvin and presses him up against the cage.
Tuvin holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Artist is looking to break free of the clinch but Tuvin has double underhooks.
Tuvin swings wildly with an uppercut but Artist uses good head movement to avoid it.
Artist tries to break free but Tuvin pushes him back against the cage.
Artist wants to break free but Tuvin has control.
Tuvin throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Tuvin throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Artist looking to throw knees to the head but Tuvin is blocking nicely.
Artist looking to throw knees to the head but Tuvin is blocking nicely.

Artist manages to break the clinch.
Tuvin wants to clinch up but Artist keeps it at a distance.

Artist closes the distance and clinches.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Tuvin just misses with a elbow thrown towards Artist's brow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Artist tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tuvin pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Tuvin throws an elbow but misses.
Tuvin creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Tuvin creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Artist breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ko Artist is winning the standup battle so far.

Tuvin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tuvin has Artist pressed against the cage, preventing Artist from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Artist using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Tuvin lands an elbow just above Artist 's eye.
Artist can't break the clinch.

Artist's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tuvin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Artist sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Artist is looking to counter with head kicks.

Artist moves into range and clinches up with Tuvin.
Artist wants to get back to striking at distance but Tuvin won't allow it.
Tuvin looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Artist dodges an elbow strike from Tuvin.
Tuvin misses with a punch to the body.
Tuvin throws an elbow but it misses.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Artist wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Artist tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nice elbow from Tuvin.
Artist tries to land a knee to the head but Tuvin blocks with his arms.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Artist wants to break free but Tuvin has control.
Artist taking a breather.
Artist tries to break free but Tuvin pushes him back against the cage.
Tuvin throws an elbow but it misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Artist prevents a body shot from Tuvin.
Artist is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tuvin gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Tuvin misses with an elbow strike.
Nice elbow from Tuvin.
Artist avoids the elbow strike from Tuvin, against the cage.
Ko Artist has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ivan Tuvin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Knees to the body from Artist.
Tuvin on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Tuvin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tuvin 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight for Ivan Tuvin!
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight for Ivan Tuvin!
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight for Ivan Tuvin!

Ivan Tuvin wins by unanimous decision!