PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ive Hadjinov (ranked 3681 p4p, 3880 weight class) and Jimbo Gregor (ranked 486 p4p, 511 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hadjinov
vs
Gregor

187 cm
25
230
1 - 0 - 0

189 cm
18
242
2 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ive Hadjinov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jimbo Gregor!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Atkins and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hadjinov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Hadjinov showed some decent athleticism there.
Hadjinov is controlling the pace.

Hadjinov wants to work for an arm triangle but Gregor is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Hadjinov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Gregor actively working from the bottom here.
Hadjinov is nestled in close to Gregor, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Gregor looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hadjinov trying to control from half guard but Gregor is working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gregor is looking for a sweep. Hadjinov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hadjinov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hadjinov is looking to take a break and control but Gregor is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hadjinov is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Gregor is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Gregor moves into full guard.
Hadjinov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Gregor is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hadjinov defends well.
Hadjinov postures up in Gregor's guard and throws a big left but Gregor blocks it.
Hadjinov trying to control the position from guard on top but Gregor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gregor looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hadjinov wants to control from the top but Gregor keeps moving.

Gregor looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Hadjinov passes into half guard.

Gregor looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hadjinov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gregor has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hadjinov working the head and body with strikes.
Gregor is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hadjinov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hadjinov's back!

Gregor is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Hadjinov defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Gregor patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Gregor working for the choke.

Gregor working for a choke but Hadjinov is defending well.
Hadjinov wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hadjinov fending off the submission attempt from Gregor.
Hadjinov just trying to survive but Gregor is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Hadjinov showing good submission defense here.

Gregor looking for the choke from the back.

Gregor has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Hadjinov has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Gregor looking for the choke from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Gregor working for a choke but Hadjinov is defending well.

Gregor is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Gregor is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Hadjinov is defending well though. Gregor let's go of the attempt for now.

Hadjinov is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Gregor gets his way!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Gregor working for the choke.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jimbo Gregor will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hadjinov rushes Gregor and presses him up against the cage.
Gregor is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Hadjinov works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Gregor looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Gregor throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Hadjinov escapes and throws Gregor's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Gregor is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Hadjinov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gregor is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Gregor moves into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gregor is looking for a triangle here but Hadjinov uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Gregor is looking for a sweep.
Gregor gets back to half guard.
Hadjinov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gregor with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Gregor actively working from the bottom here.
Ive Hadjinov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Hadjinov is looking for a kimura but Gregor is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hadjinov to get the leverage.

Gregor looking for submissions off his back.
Gregor is refusing to be controlled, as Hadjinov sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hadjinov is nestled in close to Gregor, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Gregor looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Gregor looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hadjinov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Hadjinov working Gregor over with strikes.

Gregor looking for submissions off his back.

Gregor is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hadjinov pulls his head out easily.

Gregor looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Gregor is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gregor is defending against the submission attempts here by Hadjinov.
Hadjinov trying to control the action but Gregor is working from the bottom.
Hadjinov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hadjinov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Well, if Hadjinov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Gregor is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hadjinov pulls his head out easily.
Hadjinov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gregor's head.
Gregor is not content to let Hadjinov control the position.

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.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Hadjinov lands a nice short elbow.

Gregor looking for submissions off his back.
Hadjinov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gregor can do to turn this around?

Gregor looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hadjinov trying to control from half guard but Gregor is working away.

Gregor looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Hadjinov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Gregor is pressing down on Hadjinov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Gregor is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hadjinov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Gregor throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ive Hadjinov dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hadjinov tries to clinch up
and Gregor counters with a nice body shot.
A shot to the liver by Gregor. Beautiful body shot.
Nice defenses there by Hadjinov.
Gregor ducks under a wild hook from Hadjinov.
It seemed like Gregor was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hadjinov looks to clinch
and Hadjinov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hadjinov walks into a straight right hand from Gregor.
Hadjinov misses with a lunging right hand
and Gregor counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gregor takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Hadjinov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gregor is trying to defend but Hadjinov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hadjinov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gregor looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Hadjinov lands a nice short elbow.
Hadjinov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gregor works his way to full guard. Good work.

Hadjinov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gregor has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hadjinov has managed to get both his arms back between Gregor's legs - danger averted.
Gregor has momentary wrist control but Hadjinov slips an elbow through the middle.

Gregor looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hadjinov passes Gregor's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Hadjinov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Hadjinov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gregor looking for submissions off his back.
Hadjinov throwing shots but Gregor is blocking nicely.

Gregor looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Gregor tries to get to full guard but Hadjinov has control of the leg.

Gregor is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hadjinov pulls his head out easily.
Gregor is not content to let Hadjinov control the position.
Hadjinov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Hadjinov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gregor looking for submissions off his back.

Gregor looking for submissions off his back.
Hadjinov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Still in half guard, Hadjinov seems content to control.

Gregor actively working from the bottom here.

Gregor looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hadjinov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gregor's head.
Hadjinov working over Gregor with some ground and pound. Gregor looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Hadjinov seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Gregor is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Ive Hadjinov!
A less than humble Ive Hadjinov misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.