PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Andrik Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ahmad Malushev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ivanov
vs
Malushev

175 cm
23
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrik Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ahmad Malushev!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Illya Tyunina and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ivanov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Ivanov is controlling the pace.
Malushev is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Ivanov wants to stand but Malushev has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Malushev is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ivanov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ivanov's back!
Malushev is trying to stick to Ivanov's back but Ivanov is turning into Malushev. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Malushev's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Ivanov.
Malushev throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ivanov postures up in Malushev's guard and throws a big left but Malushev blocks it.
Malushev throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Ivanov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Malushev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Ivanov stands up from Malushev's guard - Ivanov perhaps looking for a knockout.
Ivanov tries to land a leg kick but Malushev saw it coming and moves away.
Malushev lands a head kick. Ivanov smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Malushev lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malushev tries a low kick but Ivanov avoids it.
Malushev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ivanov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Ivanov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Ivanov lands a nice shot to the head.
Ivanov blocks Malushev's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Malushev flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Malushev flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Malushev flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Ivanov fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Ivanov lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
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!
Ivanov blocks Malushev's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.

Ivanov is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Malushev is surviving well by controlling Ivanov's body position as best he can.

Ivanov looking to secure an arm triangle but Malushev defends it well.

Ivanov has hold of Malushev's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Malushev manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Ivanov is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ivanov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Ivanov blocks Malushev's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Malushev is looking to get to half guard.
Malushev throwing hammer fists to the chest of Ivanov. What's that going to do exactly?
Ivanov blocks Malushev's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Malushev throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Malushev sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Malushev slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Ivanov advances position into side control!
Malushev gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov blocks the strikes from Malushev.
Malushev tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Malushev throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Malushev punching from the bottom.
Malushev missing with punches from the bottom.
Ivanov blocks the strikes from Malushev.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ivanov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Malushev defends it well.
Malushev tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Ivanov tries to stand and escape but Malushev is controlling the position.
Malushev missing with punches from the bottom.
Malushev throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malushev missing with punches from the bottom.
Ivanov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Ivanov decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Jab from Malushev.
Malushev scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Malushev scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ivanov doesn't seem bothered though.
Malushev sizes up Ivanov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Malushev manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Ivanov on his heels. He'll look to pass Ivanov's guard now, I'm sure.
Malushev connects with a couple of short punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Malushev cracks Ivanov with a solid left hand.
Ivanov wants to sweep here but Malushev controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ahmad Malushev will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Malushev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Malushev is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ivanov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Malushev gets tackled into the cage by Ivanov. Ivanov maintains the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Ivanov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Malushev tries a body shot but Ivanov blocks it.

Malushev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ivanov takes a kick to the side of the head.
Malushev throws a series of punches but Ivanov avoids them all with ease.

Ivanov has closed the distance and engaged Malushev in a clinch.
Malushev is breathing heavily.

Ivanov breaks the clinch.
A punch combination from Ivanov misses.

Ivanov moves into range and clinches up with Malushev.
Ivanov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Malushev has him pressed against the cage.

Ivanov jumps guard and drags Malushev to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ivanov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Malushev defends well.
Malushev postures up in Ivanov's guard and throws a big left but Ivanov blocks it.
Malushev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ivanov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ivanov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ivanov is looking to stand up but Malushev isn't so interested in that idea.
Ivanov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Malushev lands a couple of digs.
Ivanov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Malushev cracks Ivanov with a solid left hand.
Malushev cracks Ivanov with a solid left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malushev is looking to work some ground and pound but Ivanov has wrist control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Malushev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Malushev throws a strike but Ivanov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Malushev is working an open guard so Ivanov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Malushev looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Malushev working some strikes from top position.
Malushev postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Malushev postures up in Ivanov's guard and throws a big left but Ivanov blocks it.
Malushev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ivanov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ivanov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Malushev advances position into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malushev cracks Ivanov with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Ivanov wants to control but Malushev postures up.
Malushev lands an elbow.
Malushev working the ground and pound from side control.
Ivanov is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Ahmad Malushev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Malushev working the body and head with strikes.
Ivanov is working to avoid the ground and pound but Malushev connects with a decent elbow.
Malushev working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Malushev working the ground and pound but Ivanov is defending the strikes.
Ivanov is looking for a sweep.
Malushev working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Malushev is trying to ground and pound but Ivanov uses the momentary lack of control by Malushev to regain half guard.
Ivanov is pressing down on Malushev's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malushev throws and elbow that misses. Ivanov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Malushev's guard. Nice move by Ivanov!
Ivanov looking to pass the guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Malushev trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Malushev lands with a heel strike from the guard.
Malushev throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Malushev is striking from the bottom but Ivanov uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Malushev punching from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Malushev is trying to get back to full guard.

Ivanov stands up from half guard.
Ivanov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ahmad Malushev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Ivanov fails to land with a series of punches.
Malushev catches Ivanov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Malushev 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.
Ivanov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Malushev.
Malushev with a hook.
Malushev moves out of range as Ivanov throws a body kick.
Ivanov slaps away a takedown attempt from Malushev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Malushev fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Ivanov closes the distance and pushes Malushev back into the cage.
Malushev pressing his opponent against the cage.
Malushev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ivanov avoids it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malushev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Malushev doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Ivanov counters with a single leg into guard. Malushev didn't expect that.
Malushev trying to strike off his back.
Ivanov working some strikes from top position.
Ivanov scoring with some ground and pound.
Ivanov is working Malushev over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Ivanov drops back looking for a leg! Malushev is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Malushev manages to kick Ivanov off! Ivanov jumps back into Malushev's guard.
Malushev wants to sweep here but Ivanov controlling him for the moment.
Ivanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Malushev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Malushev tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malushev thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Malushev punching to the body, from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ivanov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Ivanov stands up and waves to Malushev to follow him.
Malushev throws a right hand that Ivanov ducks under and follows up with a left that Ivanov also avoids with ease.
Ahmad Malushev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Malushev blocks a head kick by Ivanov.
Malushev shoots in for a takedown but Ivanov shows good takedown defense.
Andrik Ivanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ahmad Malushev.
Malushev misses with a takedown

and Ivanov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Malushev's guard.
Ivanov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Malushev tries to strike from the bottom.
Malushev throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malushev trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Ivanov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Malushev trying to strike off his back.
Ivanov stays in close to Malushev's body and controls the position.
Malushev manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Ivanov is looking to improve his position but Malushev isn't that keen on the idea.
The referee warns Ivanov that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Malushev lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Ivanov is trying to escape the mount.
Malushev is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Ivanov can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov wants to hold on but Malushev pushes him away.
Ivanov is desperately trying to improve his position but Malushev has a good base and remains in mount.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Malushev unloading with bombs!
Malushev looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Ivanov is trying to escape the mount.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Malushev lands a big elbow.
Andrik Ivanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ahmad Malushev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Malushev with a couple of short strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Andrik Ivanov.
I think Malushev 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ahmad Malushev!