PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mabahong Tae (ranked 3124 p4p, 2630 weight class) and Ivan Raikov (ranked 371 p4p, 323 weight class). Raikov has chosen Back in the USSR as his entrance music. 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.

Tae
vs
Raikov

187 cm
22
195
2 - 1 - 0

178 cm
22
195
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Fast

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mabahong Tae!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ivan Raikov!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tae wants to clinch

and Raikov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Tae is looking to control Raikov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tae avoid being mounted?

Tae is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Raikov pulls his head out easily.
Raikov trying to pass the guard but Tae defending well.

Tae looking for submissions off his back.
Raikov is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Raikov working for a guillotine from mount but Tae is in no mood to give up.
Tae's coaches at SYDNEY ELITE GYM have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Tae is working to get back to half guard.
Tae stops Raikov from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Raikov keeps trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tae has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.
Raikov has the hooks in. Tae is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tae breaks Raikov's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Raikov looking for a guillotine here but Tae defends easily.
Tae tries to free his leg and advance position but Raikov is retaining full guard.
Raikov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tae trying to control the position from guard on top but Raikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Tae decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Raikov, up you get!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tae misses with a knee strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tae tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Raikov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Raikov lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Tae looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Raikov passes to side control.

Raikov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Tae has escaped the position, nice work there.
Raikov advances nicely into full mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Raikov with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Raikov has control of Tae's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Tae regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Tae is working to get back to half guard.
My spies in The Jungle Room inform me that Raikov has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tae wants to control but Raikov is having none of it.
Tae is desperately trying to improve his position but Raikov has a good base and remains in mount.
Raikov wants to take Tae's back here but Tae is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

Tae is flailing around, obviously not happy about being mounted. Raikov locks hold of one of his arms and spins for an armbar. He's got it! Tae is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ivan Raikov!
An out of breath Ivan Raikov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.