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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Raikov (ranked 1014 p4p, 2191 weight class) and Ben Solomon (ranked 142 p4p, 279 weight class). Raikov kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Back in the USSR. Ivan Raikov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ben Solomon's chin.
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| 178 cm
23
195
8 - 2 - 0 |
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179 cm
23
183
5 - 2 - 1 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ivan Raikov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ben Solomon!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Raikov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nice body punch from Solomon - that landed with a thud.
Solomon gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Raikov.
Solomon throws a punch but it's blocked by Raikov.
Raikov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Solomon after a bit of a struggle.
Raikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Raikov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Solomon is keeping busy.
Solomon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Solomon misses with a two punch combination.
Solomon misses with a lunging right hand
and Raikov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Solomon working a defensive guard here.
Solomon keeping full guard, as Raikov tries to pass.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Solomon wants to sweep here but Raikov controlling him for the moment.
Raikov forces his way into half guard.
Solomon is defending against the submission attempts here by Raikov.
Raikov trying to pass the guard but Solomon defending well.
Solomon is looking for a sweep. Raikov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Solomon is looking to control Raikov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Solomon avoid being mounted?
Raikov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Solomon knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've been hearing good reports from Raikov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Raikov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Solomon sees it coming and defends easily.
Raikov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Solomon defends it well.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raikov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Solomon knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Solomon tries to kick Raikov off but Raikov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Raikov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Solomon doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Raikov.
Solomon wants to control but Raikov is keeping busy.
Raikov tries to pass to full mount but Solomon defends it.
Raikov is looking for a kimura here.
Solomon desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Raikov wants to pass the guard but Solomon is defending well.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raikov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Solomon has managed to free his arm - good work.
Raikov prevents Solomon from improving his position.
Raikov trying to pass the guard but Solomon defending well.
Solomon manages to get to full guard.
Solomon is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Raikov throwing strikes from guard but Solomon blocks nicely.
Raikov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Solomon swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Raikov advances to half guard.
Solomon controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Raikov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raikov prevents Solomon from standing back up.
Solomon felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Solomon is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Solomon is trying to maintain the position but Raikov is very close to passing his half guard.
Raikov moves nicely into side control.
Raikov tries to advance to mount but can't.
Solomon is looking for a sweep.
Raikov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Raikov tries to advance to mount but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Solomon wants to control but Raikov postures up.
Solomon is looking to reverse the position.
You can see the frustration on Solomon's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Ivan Raikov dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
Solomon throws out a loose jab but Raikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Solomon throws a hook but Raikov blocks it.
Raikov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Raikov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Solomon tries to avoid it but Raikov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Solomon to the ground. Solomon escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Solomon connects with a jab.
Raikov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Solomon can do to turn this around?
Solomon throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Raikov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Solomon tries to throw a body punch but Raikov avoids it by throwing Solomon back against the cage.
Solomon is fighting off a takedown attempt but Raikov is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Solomon to the mat. Solomon regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Solomon is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Solomon is on top in guard.
Solomon trying to control the position from guard on top but Raikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Raikov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Solomon is one step ahead there.
Raikov is working hard here to advance position.
Solomon trying to control but Raikov is working from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Solomon wants to get up but he can't break Raikov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Raikov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Raikov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Solomon manages to get himself to full guard.
Ivan Raikov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Solomon controls Raikov momentarily but Raikov frees himself.
Raikov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Solomon is keeping the position for now.
Solomon manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Raikov manages to get himself to full guard.
Solomon trying to control the position from guard on top but Raikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Solomon got a little sloppy there for a moment and Raikov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Solomon has managed to get both his arms back between Raikov's legs - danger averted.
Raikov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raikov frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Solomon is desperately trying to improve his position but Raikov has a good base and remains in mount.
Raikov wants to take Solomon's back here but Solomon is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Solomon sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Raikov wants to work for an arm triangle but Solomon is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Solomon is trying to get back to full guard.
Solomon trying to control but Raikov postures up.
Solomon won't allow Raikov to pass to mount.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raikov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Solomon is just riding it out for now. Raikov eventually gives up the hold.
Raikov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Solomon defends it well.
Raikov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Raikov wants to pass the guard but Solomon is defending well.
Solomon is looking to improve his position.
Solomon trying to hold on to Raikov's head to control him but Raikov postures up.
Solomon holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
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.
Raikov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Solomon knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Raikov frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Raikov fails to move to back control.
Solomon is desperately trying to improve his position but Raikov has a good base and remains in mount.
Solomon is still trying to improve position.
Raikov with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Raikov seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Solomon is holding on tight.
Solomon regains half guard.
Raikov is pressing down on Solomon's thigh, looking to free his foot. Solomon is holding on for now.
The fighters are battling for position here. Solomon manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Ivan Raikov dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Solomon throws a lazy right hand but Raikov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Raikov dives in for a single leg takedown but Solomon sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Solomon pressing his opponent against the cage.
Solomon lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Solomon wants to get back to striking at distance but Raikov won't allow it.
Solomon tries to work over Raikov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Raikov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Solomon fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Solomon moves out of range of the body kick from Raikov.
Raikov fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Raikov. 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.
Raikov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Solomon connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Raikov scrambles back to his feet.
It looks like Ivan Raikov has been cut.
Solomon smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Solomon lands a body shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Solomon jabs Raikov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Solomon misses with an uppercut. Raikov saw that one coming.
A slow jab from Solomon misses its intended target.
No luck for Raikov with that takedown attempt.
A countering left hand to the body from Solomon misses.
Solomon lands a jab to the head.
Solomon getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Raikov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Raikov tries to advance to mount but Solomon denies him.
Raikov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Solomon has escaped the position, nice work there.
Solomon is looking to reverse the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Solomon is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Solomon prevents Raikov from improving position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Solomon manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Solomon wants to control but Raikov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Raikov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Solomon knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Raikov passes to side control.
Raikov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Raikov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Solomon tries to bench press Raikov off him but Raikov keeps the position.
Solomon gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Solomon is desperately trying to improve his position but Raikov has a good base and remains in mount.
Solomon keeps trying to improve his position.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Raikov fails to take his opponent's back.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raikov moves to the back position.
Raikov is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Solomon wants to get back to his feet.
Raikov not allowing Solomon to control his hands.
Raikov 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, Solomon has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Raikov is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Solomon is defending well though. Raikov let's go of the attempt for now.
Solomon is really stuck here.
Raikov is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Solomon has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Solomon tries to break free.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Solomon is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Raikov looking for the choke but no joy.
Raikov is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Solomon is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Raikov off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Raikov 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, Solomon has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Raikov is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Solomon knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Solomon for a finish.
Solomon is trying to stand back up.
Raikov working for a choke but Solomon is defending well.
Solomon rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close third round but Ben Solomon just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Ivan Raikov's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
No luck for Raikov with that takedown attempt.
Raikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Solomon.
Raikov throws a jab when Solomon was well out of range.
Solomon swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Raikov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Solomon tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Raikov is in Solomon's guard.
Solomon manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Raikov manages to get himself to full guard.
Raikov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Solomon tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Solomon seems keen to control Raikov's posture.
Raikov wants to pass the guard but Solomon is keeping the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Raikov advances to half guard.
Solomon is looking for a sweep. Raikov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Raikov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Solomon moves into full guard.
Raikov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Solomon's guard.
Raikov wants to pass the guard but Solomon is defending well.
Solomon wants to improve his position but Raikov is controlling well.
Raikov trying to mount his opponent but Solomon defends it.
Solomon keeping hold of Raikov's head, controlling as best he can.
Solomon won't allow Raikov to pass to mount.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Solomon is in trouble now - Raikov has advanced to mount!
Solomon is wriggling around trying to escape.
Raikov moves to the back.
Raikov looking for the rear naked choke. And he's got it! Solomon taps!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:42 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ivan Raikov!
Ivan Raikov retains his middleweight title!
After winning the bout, Ivan Raikov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
44% |
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