PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Ivanov (ranked 4789 p4p, 2998 weight class) and Walter Flanagan (ranked 413 p4p, 307 weight class). Flanagan has chosen The Wizard as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Ivanov
vs
Flanagan

170 cm
26
155
8 - 9 - 0

171 cm
43
158
18 - 19 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Walter Flanagan!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Taro Takaoka and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Flanagan stuffs the takedown attempt from Ivanov. Ivanov gets slowly back to his feet.
Ivanov wants to clinch.
Ivanov fails with the takedown
and Flanagan counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Flanagan has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ivanov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ivanov sets himself, and Flanagan steps forward looking for the clinch! Ivanov avoids it this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ivanov tries to close the distance and clinch but Flanagan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Flanagan tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov tries for a takedown but Flanagan sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Flanagan on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ivanov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Flanagan counters with a right hand to the body.
Flanagan defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ivanov.
A countering left hand to the body from Flanagan misses.
Ivanov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Flanagan is looking for the big counter here.
Ivanov fails with a takedown attempt.
Ivanov swings for the body but Flanagan moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ivanov.
Ivanov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Flanagan counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ivanov is defended easily by Flanagan.
Ivanov misses with a takedown attempt
and Flanagan counters with a left and a right that stings Ivanov.
Ivan Ivanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ivanov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Flanagan now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov digs a good body shot into Flanagan's ribs.
Ivanov shoots in for a takedown but Flanagan shows good takedown defense.
Ivanov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ivanov has his takedown stuffed
and Flanagan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ivanov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Flanagan drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ivanov defends it well.
Ivanov throws a lazy head kick
and Flanagan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ivanov shoots in but no luck this time.
Flanagan throws out a counter right but Ivanov avoids it with no problem.
Ivanov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Flanagan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov tries to close the distance and clinch but Flanagan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Flanagan drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ivanov defends it well.

Ivanov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Ivanov is trying to control. Flanagan wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Flanagan blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ivanov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fighters are battling for position here. Flanagan manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Flanagan controlling Ivanov's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Walter Flanagan dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

The fight stays on the outside here - Ivanov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Flanagan appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

Ivanov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Flanagan holds on to Ivanov's head and controls the position momentarily.
We've been hearing that Ivanov has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Ivanov landing a few strikes.
Flanagan is looking to reverse the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Flanagan avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Ivanov.
Ivanov tries to score with some ground and pound. Flanagan controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov wants to control but Flanagan is keeping him busy.
Flanagan tries to improve position but can't.
Ivanov working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Ivanov scores with a couple of short elbows.
You can see the frustration on Flanagan's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ivanov wants to stand but Flanagan has him controlled and pulls him back into his guard.
Flanagan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov trying to control but Flanagan is working from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ivanov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Flanagan is trying to control the position but Ivanov postures up.
Ivanov trying to control but Flanagan is working from the bottom.
Ivanov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Flanagan has momentary wrist control but Ivanov slips an elbow through the middle.
Ivanov looking to sit in guard and control but Flanagan gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Flanagan controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Ivanov controls Flanagan momentarily but Flanagan frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flanagan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ivanov throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Flanagan stopping the sweep attempt from Ivanov.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ivanov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Flanagan trying to control but Ivanov is working from the bottom.
Flanagan is fighting to break Ivanov's control of his arms but Ivanov is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ivanov fails with a takedown attempt.
Walter Flanagan seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four 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.
Ivanov misses with a takedown attempt
and Flanagan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ivanov shoots in looking for a takedown but Flanagan manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ivanov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ivanov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ivanov lands with a nice body punch.
Ivanov looks for a takedown but Flanagan sprawls well.
Ivanov has his takedown stuffed
enabling Flanagan to counter with a crisp jab.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ivanov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ivan Ivanov will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Ivanov closes the distance and clinches up with Flanagan, looking for a takedown. Ivanov pushes Flanagan against the cage but Flanagan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Flanagan throws out a counter right but Ivanov avoids it with no problem.
Ivanov dives in for a single leg takedown but Flanagan sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ivanov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Flanagan throws out a counter right but Ivanov avoids it with no problem.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Flanagan keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ivanov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Flanagan stuffs the takedown.
Ivanov moves in looking to clinch but Flanagan pushes him off.
A nice side step and Flanagan releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Nice takedown defense from Flanagan. No joy for Ivanov on that attempt.
Flanagan feints the counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov tries to clinch but Flanagan moves away
and Ivanov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ivanov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Flanagan counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ivanov thinking.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ivanov tries for a takedown but Flanagan sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ivanov tries to clinch but Flanagan moves out of range.
Flanagan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ivanov shoots in for a takedown but Flanagan shows good takedown defense.
Ivanov shoots in looking for a takedown but Flanagan manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ivanov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ivanov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ivanov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Flanagan counters with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ivanov.
Despite the aggression on Flanagan's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Flanagan swats away the attempt to clinch by Ivanov.
Flanagan lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Ivanov tries for a takedown but Flanagan circles away easily

and Flanagan counters with a shoot takedown. Ivanov fights it but they end up in guard.
Ivanov can't keep his opponent in guard - Flanagan advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Flanagan not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov trying to control from the bottom.

Flanagan 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 Flanagan.
Flanagan takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Flanagan is looking for a kimura here.
Ivanov is trying to maintain the position but Flanagan is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Ivanov is not content to let Flanagan control the position.
Ivanov controlling the position for now.
Flanagan slows the pace down in half guard.
Ivanov trying to control from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ivanov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Flanagan working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

And that's the end of the fight!
Walter Flanagan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Flanagan 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:29
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Walter Flanagan!
A relieved looking Walter Flanagan thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.