PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mark Spencer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksandar Ibrahimovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Spencer comes to the cage accompanied by Ride Of The Valkyries - Richard Wagner. Ibrahimovic is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Mind Heist. Aleksandar Ibrahimovic will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Spencer
vs
Ibrahimovic

170 cm
28
157 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

190 cm
27
167 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite 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 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mark Spencer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aleksandar Ibrahimovic!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, William Peck and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ibrahimovic attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Ibrahimovic has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Spencer finds it's way round the side to connect with Ibrahimovic's head.
Ibrahimovic slips under a jab.
Good work by Spencer as he checks the leg kick.
Spencer throws a jab but it's blocked by Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Spencer misses with a body shot.
Nice defenses there by Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic connects with a solid leg kick.

Spencer throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Ibrahimovic tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Spencer is in Ibrahimovic's guard.
Ibrahimovic utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Spencer prevents Ibrahimovic from getting back to his feet.
Ibrahimovic trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spencer trying to control the position from guard on top but Ibrahimovic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ibrahimovic wants to stand and escape but Spencer is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic looking for a sweep. Not yet Ibrahimovic, not yet.
Ibrahimovic manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Spencer tries to hold on but Ibrahimovic pushes him away.
Spencer can't escape the position.
Spencer regains half guard.
Spencer is trying to control but can't.
Spencer wants to improve his position but Ibrahimovic is controlling well.
Ibrahimovic wants to stand up but Spencer is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Spencer moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Spencer is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic wants to control from the top but Spencer keeps moving.
Spencer is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Spencer working for a triangle but Ibrahimovic defends it easily.

Spencer working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ibrahimovic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ibrahimovic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Spencer looking for a sweep. Not yet Spencer, not yet.
Spencer is working hard here to advance position.
Ibrahimovic postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Spencer controls Ibrahimovic momentarily but Ibrahimovic frees himself.

Spencer is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ibrahimovic wants to control from the top but Spencer keeps moving.

Spencer is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ibrahimovic defends well.
Ibrahimovic slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Spencer escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ibrahimovic gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ibrahimovic wanted to stand there but Spencer had control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Ibrahimovic wants to control from the top but Spencer keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Aleksandar Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic throws a nice outside leg kick.
Spencer tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Spencer lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Aleksandar Ibrahimovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Spencer walks into a jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ibrahimovic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ibrahimovic throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Spencer dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Spencer checks the leg kick.
Ibrahimovic lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Spencer misses with a body shot.
Ibrahimovic avoids the body shot from Spencer.
Spencer misses with a looping right.
Ibrahimovic keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Spencer throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ibrahimovic throws a series of punches but Spencer avoids them all with ease.
Ibrahimovic moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ibrahimovic throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Ibrahimovic tries a head kick but it misses.
Ibrahimovic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Spencer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic motions for Spencer to come forward. Ibrahimovic throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Spencer keeps the fight on the outside.
No joy there for Spencer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ibrahimovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Spencer is looking to wear down Ibrahimovic with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Good shot there by Ibrahimovic.
Spencer buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ibrahimovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ibrahimovic lands with a slapping head kick.
Ibrahimovic fails in his attempt to clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Spencer.
Spencer has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ibrahimovic.
Aleksandar Ibrahimovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Ibrahimovic misses.
Spencer gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Spencer cracks a nice hook into Ibrahimovic's ribs.
Spencer throws a leg kick that misses.
Ibrahimovic is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Spencer just misses with a punch to the body.
Aleksandar Ibrahimovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Spencer throws a good cross that connects.
Ibrahimovic walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Spencer checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Ibrahimovic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ibrahimovic throws a low kick but Spencer avoids it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ibrahimovic ducks under a wild hook from Spencer.
Ibrahimovic tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Spencer counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic controls Spencer momentarily but Spencer frees himself.
Ibrahimovic wants to sweep here but Spencer controlling him for the moment.
Ibrahimovic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Spencer stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ibrahimovic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ibrahimovic pulls Spencer in close to prevent any damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ibrahimovic keeping full guard, as Spencer tries to pass.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Aleksandar Ibrahimovic was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Ibrahimovic misses with a low kick as Spencer jumps back.
Spencer throws a series of punches but Ibrahimovic avoids them all with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic pivots, looking for a leg kick but Spencer is out of range and Ibrahimovic settles back down.
Spencer avoids the head kick by Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic pushes Spencer away with a front kick.

Ibrahimovic moves into range and clinches up with Spencer.
Ibrahimovic is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Spencer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ibrahimovic tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ibrahimovic trying to land knees to the body.
Spencer is trying to break the clinch but Ibrahimovic has him pressed against the cage.

Spencer's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Spencer throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ibrahimovic digs a good hook to Spencer's body.
Spencer throws a hook but Ibrahimovic avoids it easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ibrahimovic scores with a head kick. Spencer tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Aleksandar Ibrahimovic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Ibrahimovic checks the leg kick.
Spencer misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ibrahimovic wants it to stay on the feet.
Ibrahimovic tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Spencer manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Ibrahimovic moves into the clinch.
Ibrahimovic pushes off an throws an elbow but Spencer leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Ibrahimovic misses with a knee to the head.
Ibrahimovic gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Spencer.
Spencer managing to block the knees to the body from Ibrahimovic.
Spencer tries to pull guard but Ibrahimovic forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Spencer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ibrahimovic using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Spencer has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic tries to land knees in the clinch but Spencer avoids the damage to the body.
Spencer working hard to break the clinch.
Ibrahimovic has Spencer pushed against the cage.
Ibrahimovic trying to land knees to the body.
Ibrahimovic tries to land a knee to the head but Spencer blocks with his arms.
Ibrahimovic missing with knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ibrahimovic just misses with a elbow thrown towards Spencer's brow.
Spencer takes a knee to the side of the body.
Spencer is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Ibrahimovic is defending well.
Ibrahimovic trying to stall but Spencer improves his position.
Spencer changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ibrahimovic fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ibrahimovic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ibrahimovic gets a clinch.
A knee to the head by Ibrahimovic.

It looks like Mark Spencer has been cut.
Ibrahimovic missing with knees to the body.
Ibrahimovic slows down the pace here.
Ibrahimovic throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Spencer blocks it with crossed arms.
Come on Ibrahimovic - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Spencer has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ibrahimovic is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ibrahimovic scores with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Ibrahimovic.
Spencer wants a takedown.
Ibrahimovic looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ibrahimovic trying to land knees to the body.
Spencer avoiding damage as Ibrahimovic throws knees to the body.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Ibrahimovic takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Ibrahimovic tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ibrahimovic with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Spencer tries to pull guard but Ibrahimovic won't allow it.
Spencer wants to break the clinch but can't.
Spencer is looking for a takedown.
Aleksandar Ibrahimovic seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ibrahimovic working Spencer over with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic misses with a knee to the head.

Spencer has clasped his hands together around Ibrahimovic's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ibrahimovic manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Ibrahimovic makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ibrahimovic digs a good body shot into Spencer's ribs.
Spencer takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Ibrahimovic wants to land a leg kick but Spencer is out of range.

Ibrahimovic rushes Spencer and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Ibrahimovic - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ibrahimovic with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Spencer manages to pull guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aleksandar Ibrahimovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ibrahimovic 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aleksandar Ibrahimovic!
During a confident post fight interview, Aleksandar Ibrahimovic thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.