PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kamaru Edwards (ranked 5373 p4p, 5394 weight class) and Matic Ivacic (ranked 588 p4p, 591 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Edwards
vs
Ivacic

188 cm
25
190
0 - 0 - 0

199 cm
25
190
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Inexperienced

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kamaru Edwards!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Matic Ivacic!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Ron Honeybunn and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ivacic shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Edwards defends it nicely.
Ivacic loads up on a big right hand but Edwards slips the punch.
Ivacic stuffs the takedown attempt from Edwards. Edwards gets slowly back to his feet.

Ivacic pushes Edwards up against the cage in a clinch.
Edwards has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ivacic is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ivacic manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Edwards pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Edwards throws a leg kick
and Edwards takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Edwards shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ivacic as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kamaru Edwards. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivacic looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Edwards is fending him off so far but Ivacic persists. Nope, Edwards circles away and we're back to standing.
Ivacic is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Edwards rushes Ivacic and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Edwards is looking to take this one to the mat.
Ivacic is working for takedown but Edwards is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ivacic wants to break free but Edwards has control.

Edwards breaks from the clinch.
Ivacic lands a body shot.
Ivacic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ivacic looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Edwards is fending him off so far but Ivacic persists. Nope, Edwards circles away and we're back to standing.
Ivacic defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Edwards.
Edwards closes the distance and clinches up with Ivacic, looking for a takedown. Edwards pushes Ivacic against the cage but Ivacic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ivacic raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Edwards pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Edwards shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edwards tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ivacic was well out of range. Poor timing from Edwards.
Edwards is breathing heavily.
Nice takedown defense from Edwards. No joy for Ivacic on that attempt.
Edwards seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Ivacic misses with a low kick.
Edwards looks for a takedown but Ivacic sprawls well.
Ivacic blocks a head kick by Edwards.
Ivacic shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Edwards sprawls well. Edwards wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ivacic gets slowly back to his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Edwards looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ivacic looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Edwards is fending him off so far but Ivacic persists. Nope, Edwards circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivacic tries for a takedown but Edwards sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ivacic misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Edwards changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Edwards tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ivacic swivels and escapes.
Edwards lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ivacic at a distance.
Ivacic throws a head kick that misses.
Edwards throws a low kick but Ivacic moves out of range easily.
Ivacic shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ivacic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Edwards doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ivacic counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edwards wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Edwards closes the distance and clinches up with Ivacic, looking for a takedown. Edwards pushes Ivacic against the cage but Ivacic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Edwards sets himself, and Ivacic steps forward looking for the clinch! Edwards avoids it this time.
Edwards goes for a double leg but Ivacic avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ivacic continues to drive forward.
With the fighters up against the cage, Edwards throws an elbow but misses.
Ivacic tries to pull guard but Edwards forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Edwards tries to land knees in the clinch but Ivacic avoids the damage to the body.

Edwards manages to break the clinch.
Ivacic throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Edwards's waist but Edwards gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ivacic off to one side.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ivacic slaps away a takedown attempt from Edwards, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ivacic shoots in for a takedown but Edwards shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kamaru Edwards will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ivacic fails with a takedown attempt.
Edwards feinted there with a counter leg kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Edwards is defended easily by Ivacic.
Ivacic defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Edwards.
Edwards misses with a takedown attempt

and Ivacic counters by moving into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kamaru Edwards. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Edwards is trying to pull guard but Ivacic turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Ivacic breaks from the clinch.
Edwards circles away from the clinch attempt.
Edwards is looking to counter punch.
Ivacic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ivacic paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ivacic misses with a takedown attempt - Edwards sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ivacic keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Edwards fails with the takedown.
Ivacic tries to counter by closing the distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Ivacic gets a clinch.
Edwards tries to pull guard but Ivacic holds him up against the cage and eventually Edwards drops back down to his feet.
Ivacic goes for a takedown in the clinch but Edwards prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edwards is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Ivacic has Edwards pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Edwards manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ivacic stalling in the clinch but Edwards improves position.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Edwards is stalling here.
Ivacic tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Ivacic jumps into guard, dragging Edwards to the mat.

Edwards gets to his feet - Ivacic follows without any prompting.
Edwards throws a body punch but Ivacic moves out of range.
Ivacic changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Edwards goes for a double leg but Ivacic avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ivacic continues to drive forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ivacic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ivacic shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Edwards holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Edwards tries to break free but Ivacic pushes him back against the cage.
Edwards tries to throw a body punch but Ivacic avoids it by throwing Edwards back against the cage.
Edwards gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ivacic.
Ivacic dodges an elbow strike from Edwards.
Ivacic is trying to pull guard but Edwards has him pressed against the cage.
Ivacic can't get the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edwards prevents the takedown attempt.
Ivacic is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

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

Edwards gets a takedown into half guard.
Edwards is thwarting Ivacic's attempts to control the position.
Edwards looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Edwards is looking for a kimura here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Matic Ivacic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Ivacic keeps the fight on the outside.
Edwards goes for a double leg but Ivacic avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ivacic continues to drive forward.

Ivacic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ivacic looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ivacic moves out of range of the body kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Edwards.
Ivacic darts in looking for a takedown but Edwards gets double underhooks and turns Ivacic into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Edwards goes for a double leg but Ivacic avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ivacic continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kamaru Edwards. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ivacic manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Edwards stands up and waves to Ivacic to follow him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ivacic moves into the clinch.

Ivacic pulls guard successfully.
Edwards working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Edwards slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Ivacic can't do much from the bottom here.
Ivacic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Edwards tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Edwards stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Ivacic goes for a double leg but Edwards avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Edwards continues to drive forward.
Ivacic tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Edwards manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Edwards throws a nice looking combination but Ivacic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Edwards tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ivacic sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Edwards somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Edwards darts in and clinches Ivacic up against the cage.

Ivacic breaks the clinch.
Ivacic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Edwards throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Edwards fails in his attempt to clinch.
Edwards closes the distance and clinches up with Ivacic, looking for a takedown. Edwards pushes Ivacic against the cage but Ivacic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Edwards shoots in for a takedown but Ivacic shows good takedown defense.
Ivacic does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ivacic shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Edwards but Edwards pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivacic shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Edwards counters by clinching up.
Edwards tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ivacic smiles and moves away.
Edwards tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ivacic sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Edwards somewhat.

Ivacic clinches up with Edwards and pushes him back against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Ivacic breaks the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Matic Ivacic.
I think Ivacic 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 Francis DeMontford scores the fight 28:30
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 29:28
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!