PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksander Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abdullah Hosseini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ivanov comes to the cage accompanied by Step Into A World (Rapture's Delight). Hosseini has chosen Zulfiqar - Secret Chiefs 3 as his entrance music. Aleksander Ivanov has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Ivanov
vs
Hosseini

201 cm
30
275 lbs
22 - 13 - 0

188 cm
30
255 lbs
20 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Milwaukee's Best $48 - 159's

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 22 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Aleksander Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abdullah Hosseini!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Dillan Fox and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ivanov tests Hosseini's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ivanov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hosseini moves out of range as Ivanov strikes.
Hosseini swings for the body but Ivanov moves out of range.
Ivanov throws a lazy right hand but Hosseini sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A shot to the liver by Hosseini. Beautiful body shot.
Hosseini takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ivanov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hosseini counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A combination from Ivanov does no damage.
Ivanov checks a leg kick nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hosseini will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ivanov misses the jab.
Hosseini keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ivanov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice cross by Ivanov.
Ivanov swings for the body but Hosseini moves out of range.
Ivanov throws out a powerful jab.
A big left from Ivanov misses.
Ivanov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Hosseini on the side of the head.
Ivanov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hosseini was well out of range. Poor timing from Ivanov.
Ivanov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Ivanov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ivanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Ivanov throws a hook to the side of Hosseini's head but Hosseini sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hosseini displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ivanov throws out the jab.
Ivanov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hosseini looks to score with a jab to the body but Ivanov is just out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hosseini displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ivanov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hosseini ducks under a wild hook from Ivanov.
Ivanov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Ivanov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Hosseini connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ivanov shoots in and drives through. Hosseini sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksander Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ivanov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ivanov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hosseini tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ivanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Hosseini.
Ivanov moves away from the strike by Hosseini.
Ivanov looks to score with a jab to the body but Hosseini is just out of range.
Ivanov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hosseini stuns Ivanov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Ivanov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hosseini lands a jab to Ivanov's midsection.
Nice uppercut there from Ivanov.
Ivanov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ivanov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hosseini at a distance.
Ivanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hosseini moves away.
Hosseini throws a nice looking combination but Ivanov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hosseini cracks a nice hook into Ivanov's ribs.
Hosseini misses with a low kick.
A jab from Hosseini misses.
Hosseini fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ivanov throws out a powerful jab.
Hosseini keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ivanov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ivanov thows a body shot but no joy.
Ivanov clobbers Hosseini with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ivanov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hosseini as he avoids it easily.
Hosseini swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ivanov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ivanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hosseini manages to avoid it.
Ivanov lands with a straight right. Hosseini didn't see that one coming.
Ivanov misses the shot to the body.
Ivanov throws a jab when Hosseini was well out of range.
Hosseini slips a jab and a cross from Ivanov.
The fighters circling - Ivanov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hosseini throws a lazy right hand but Ivanov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hosseini misses the jab.
Ivanov ducks under a wild hook from Hosseini.
Abdullah Hosseini is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jab by Ivanov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Aleksander Ivanov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ivanov tries to move into range but Hosseini moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Ivanov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hosseini.
Hosseini doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ivanov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Hosseini in his tracks.
Ivanov lands a jab.
Ivanov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hosseini but Hosseini pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hosseini rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ivanov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ivanov. Hosseini does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hosseini leaves Ivanov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hosseini on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Jab from Hosseini.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Hosseinis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ivanov misses with a hook.
Ivanov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Hosseini avoids the body shot from Ivanov.
Ivanov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hosseini's head.
Ivanov thows a body shot but no joy.
Hosseini throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hosseini misses with a body shot.
Hosseini displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ivanov throws out the jab.
Hosseini's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Ivanov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hosseini scrambles back to his feet.
Ivanov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hosseini misses with an uppercut.
Nice defenses there by Ivanov.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ivanov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksander Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov shoots in for a double leg but Hosseini sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ivanov takes a swing at Hosseini's ribcage but misses.
A clash of legs there as Ivanov blocks the low kick.
Ivanov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hosseini tries to avoid it but Ivanov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hosseini to the ground. Hosseini escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hosseini swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hosseini tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ivanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Hosseini.
Hosseini misses with a wild body shot.
Ivanov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hosseini was well out of range. Poor timing from Ivanov.
Hosseini swings for the body but Ivanov moves out of range.
Hosseini lands a nice hook to Ivanov's body. Ivanov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ivanov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ivanov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ivanov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hosseini was well out of range. Poor timing from Ivanov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hosseini takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hosseini dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ivanov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hosseini avoids it really well and circles away.
Ivanov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ivanov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ivanov misses with a few strikes there.
Ivanov throws a series of punches but Hosseini moves out of range.
Hosseini throws a hook but Ivanov blocks it.
Hosseini swings away with a body shot that misses
and Ivanov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hosseini throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ivanov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hosseini.
Ivanov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hosseini tries to bum rush Ivanov with a series of wild strikes but Ivanov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Aleksander Ivanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hosseini will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ivanov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Hosseini under the eye.
Hosseini displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ivanov.
Ivanov cracks Hosseini with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The crowd cheers as Ivanov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hosseini doesn't seem phased though.
Hosseini throws a right hand that Ivanov ducks under and follows up with a left that Ivanov also avoids with ease.
Ivanov misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksander Ivanov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Ivanov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice shot lands for Ivanov.

Ivanov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Ivanov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hosseini swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ivanov wants to control from the top but Hosseini keeps moving.
Ivanovis looking to pass into half guard but Hosseini pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Hosseini is in guard.

Hosseini avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Ivanov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hosseini can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hosseini trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hosseini landing with the ground and pound.
Ivanov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Ivanov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hosseini is aware though and is defending well.
Hosseini has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Ivanov is proving hard to escape from.
Ivanov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hosseini's guard.
Ivanov wants to control from the top but Hosseini keeps moving.
Abdullah Hosseini has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Ivanov looking to sit in guard and control but Hosseini gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ivanov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Ivanov working for a triangle but Hosseini defends it easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ivanov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hosseini can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov is looking to sweep but instead, Hosseini has passed into half guard.
Hosseini wants to stand but Ivanov has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Hosseini stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Aleksander Ivanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hosseini misses with a wild body shot.
Ivanov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ivanov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hosseini lands with an overhand left.
Hosseini dodges the punch combination from Ivanov.
Ivanov connects with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hosseini throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hosseini is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ivanov rather than just go for the knockout.
Ivanov throws a hook but Hosseini blocks it.
Ivanov throws a jab when Hosseini was well out of range.
Aleksander Ivanov is winning the standup battle so far.
Hosseini slaps away a takedown attempt from Ivanov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hosseini uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ivanov.
Ivanov misses with a wild combination.
Hosseini takes one on the button.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hosseini swings for the body but Ivanov moves out of range.
Ivanov missing with a left hand there. Hosseini was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aleksander Ivanov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ivanov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:28
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aleksander Ivanov!