PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Slutskaya (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeremy Pederson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jeremy Pederson will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Slutskaya
vs
Pederson

173 cm
18
156 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
160 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

BioPharm Nutrition

MMA Elite Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ivan Slutskaya!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jeremy Pederson!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Reed Andrews and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pederson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pederson scores with a nice strike.

It looks like Ivan Slutskaya has been cut.
Pederson misses with a body kick.
Pederson doesn't manage to clinch there - Slutskaya circles away.
Slutskaya will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Pederson wants to clinch.
Pederson clobbers Slutskaya with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slutskaya moves in looking to clinch but Pederson pushes him off.
Pederson wants to clinch

and Slutskaya counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Slutskaya wants to pass to mount but Pederson is defending the position.
Pederson wants to get back to full guard.
Pederson is trying to maintain the position but Slutskaya is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slutskaya thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Slutskaya is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Pederson defends it well.
Slutskaya thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Pederson's head.
Well, if Slutskaya 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.
Pederson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pederson preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Pederson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Slutskaya blocks the strikes from Pederson.

Pederson looking for submissions off his back.
Slutskaya is controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Slutskaya trying to control the action but Pederson is working from the bottom.
Slutskaya controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jeremy Pederson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ivan Slutskaya's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Slutskaya misses with a kick to the body
and Pederson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Nice combo by Pederson! Oh, that's hurt him - Slutskaya falls to the canvas and Pederson follows him into side control.

Slutskaya is rocked!
Slutskaya might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Slutskaya prevents Pederson from improving position.
Slutskaya striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Slutskaya is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Pederson off and has taken his back!
Pederson is in bad spot here.
Pederson grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slutskaya avoiding Pederson 's attempts to control his hands.
Slutskaya is landing with strikes from the back.
Slutskaya lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Pederson looking very determined here, making life difficult for Slutskaya.
Slutskaya is riding his opponent, not letting Pederson buck him off.
Slutskaya lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Pederson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Slutskaya. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slutskaya lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Pederson.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Pederson preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Slutskaya.
The referee is taking a good look at Pederson as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Slutskaya!
Slutskaya throwing wild punches that miss their target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slutskaya throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Slutskaya is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Pederson up.
Slutskaya is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Pederson up.
Slutskaya lands punches and elbows.
Pederson takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Slutskaya. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Slutskaya somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slutskaya connects with a big shot to the side of Pederson's head.
Pederson is in bad spot here.
Slutskaya struggling to keep hold of the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Slutskaya. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Slutskaya lands a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Slutskaya dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Slutskaya's cut.
That's time! Slutskaya's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Slutskaya fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Pederson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Pederson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pederson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ivan Slutskaya seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pederson swinging wilding here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pederson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Slutskaya tries for a takedown but Pederson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Pederson lands with a nice body punch.
Ivan Slutskaya is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pederson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Slutskaya feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Slutskaya pushing down on Pederson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pederson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Pederson.
Slutskaya has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Pederson wants to sweep here but Slutskaya controlling him for the moment.
Pederson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Slutskaya sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Pederson's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slutskaya throwing shots but Pederson is blocking nicely.
Slutskaya lands strikes from half guard.
Slutskaya slows the pace down in half guard.
Slutskaya misses with a head shot. Pederson uses the momentum to regain guard.
Pederson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Slutskaya is one step ahead there.

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.
Pederson will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Slutskaya works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Slutskaya wants to take a breather but Pederson is having none of it.
Pederson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Slutskaya.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Jeremy Pederson just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Ivan Slutskaya's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Slutskaya looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Slutskaya passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Slutskaya is working Pederson over with some ground and pound from side control.
Slutskaya trying to control the action but Pederson is working from the bottom.
Pederson trying to remain calm as Slutskaya controls from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slutskaya trying to control the action but Pederson is working from the bottom.
Slutskaya lands a nice forearm strike.
Slutskaya throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Slutskaya taking a breather here.
Pederson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Pederson is looking for a sweep.
Pederson prevents Slutskaya from improving position.
Pederson is looking for a sweep.
Slutskaya is looking to take a break and control but Pederson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slutskaya throwing strikes but Pederson manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Pederson wants to control but Slutskaya is keeping him busy.
Slutskaya tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Pederson trying to control the position but Slutskaya is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Slutskaya throws a chopping leg kick but Pederson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

Slutskaya moves into the clinch successfully.
Slutskaya tries for a takedown but Pederson manages to get underhooks.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A short right from Pederson on the inside.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Slutskaya had his way with Jeremy Pederson in that round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Slutskaya's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Pederson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pederson lands a jab to Slutskaya's midsection.
A head kick misses from Slutskaya.
Slutskaya shoots in but Pederson avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Slutskaya shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pederson can't keep his opponent in guard - Slutskaya advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Pederson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Slutskaya scores with a couple of nice shots.
Pederson tries to roll over but Slutskaya keeps him under control.
Pederson is staying active underneath Slutskaya, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ivan Slutskaya overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Pederson is trying to get back to full guard.
Slutskaya wants to take a breather but Pederson is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Pederson is trying to get back to full guard.
Slutskaya wants to free his trapped foot but Pederson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Pederson wants to get back to full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Pederson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Slutskaya paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Slutskaya looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Pederson is defending against the submission attempts here by Slutskaya.
Pederson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Slutskaya thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Pederson's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pederson wants to get back to full guard.
Pederson is trying to maintain the position but Slutskaya is very close to passing his half guard.
Slutskaya controlling the action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Slutskaya missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Slutskaya showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Slutskaya has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight for Ivan Slutskaya!
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight for Ivan Slutskaya!
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight for Ivan Slutskaya!

Ivan Slutskaya wins by unanimous decision!
Ivan Slutskaya retains his lightweight title!