PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sergey Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Quentin Raffinski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Quentin Raffinski told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Ivanov
vs
Raffinski

170 cm
18
155 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

150 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Enjoys gardening

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sergey Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Quentin Raffinski!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Chris Downing and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ivanov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Raffinski to score an easy takedown into full guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Ivanov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Raffinski scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Ivanov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Raffinski throws a strike but Ivanov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Raffinski controlling Ivanov's posture.
Ivanov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Raffinski works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Raffinski is looking to stand up but Ivanov isn't so interested in that idea.
Raffinski wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Raffinski preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Raffinski wants to sweep but no luck.
Raffinski seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Raffinski really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ivanov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Raffinski utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ivanov is working Raffinski over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Raffinski pulls Ivanov in close to his closed guard and prevents Ivanov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Ivanov throwing strikes but missing.
Ivanov throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov works over Raffinski with some ground and pound from guard.
Ivanov throwing strikes from guard but Raffinski blocks nicely.
Ivanov preventing the sweep.
Raffinski throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Raffinski can do anything to dispel that myth.
Raffinski looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ivanov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Raffinski not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Raffinski looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ivanov is one step ahead there.
Ivanov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ivanov throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raffinski trying to control the position here.
Ivanov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Raffinski works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ivanov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ivanov 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.
Raffinski working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ivanov.
Ivanov throwing strikes from guard but Raffinski blocks nicely.
Ivanov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ivanov is breathing heavily.
Ivanov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ivanov preventing the sweep.
Raffinski is controlling Ivanov's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ivanov chips away with some ground and pound.
Raffinski wants to stand but Ivanov is controlling the position.
Ivanov landing with the ground and pound.
Raffinski is controlling Ivanov's posture.
Raffinski looking for a sweep. Not yet Raffinski, not yet.
Ivanov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Raffinski wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ivanov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Quentin Raffinski will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Raffinski gets a takedown into half guard.
Raffinski landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Raffinski lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Raffinski throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Raffinski slips a nice elbow through Ivanov's hands, connecting with Ivanov's forehead.
Raffinski not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ivanov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raffinski scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Raffinski thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ivanov's head.
Raffinski with the ground and pound but Ivanov uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Raffinski postures up in Ivanov's guard and throws a big left but Ivanov blocks it.
Ivanov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Raffinski lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Raffinski working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Raffinski throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Raffinski must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Raffinski makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Ivanov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Raffinski.
Raffinski throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raffinski trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Raffinski scoring with some ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Raffinski throwing strikes but missing.
Raffinski with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Raffinski trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Raffinski throws a big right hand that misses.
Raffinski throws a big right hand that misses.
Raffinski lands a couple of digs.
Raffinski throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raffinski trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Raffinski chips away with some ground and pound.
Raffinski postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ivanov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Raffinski missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Quentin Raffinski has got the better of the ground game so far.
Raffinski chips away with some ground and pound.
Ivanov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Raffinski postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Raffinski accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Raffinski cracks Ivanov with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raffinski trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ivanov wants to stand but Raffinski is controlling the position.
Raffinski throwing strikes from guard but Ivanov blocks nicely.
Raffinski throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Raffinski landing some decent shots from guard.
Raffinski with a flurry of punches that miss.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Raffinski content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Quentin Raffinski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Raffinski closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Ivanov did well to prevent Raffinski getting side control.
Raffinski sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ivanov defending well though.
Ground and pound from Raffinski.
Ivanov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Raffinski.
Raffinski missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ground and pound from Raffinski.
Raffinski scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Raffinski drops an elbow to the side of Ivanov's head.
Raffinski stops Ivanov from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ivanov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Raffinski.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raffinski missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Raffinski is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Raffinski lands a nice short elbow.
Raffinski throwing shots but Ivanov is blocking nicely.
Raffinski is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Raffinski throwing shots but Ivanov is blocking nicely.
Raffinski throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ivanov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Raffinski missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raffinski lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Raffinski working Ivanov over with strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Raffinski lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ivanov is trying to stand.
Raffinski lands strikes from half guard.
Raffinski throwing shots but Ivanov is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raffinski throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sergey Ivanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ground and pound from Raffinski.

Ivanov is rocked!
Ground and pound from Raffinski.
Oh Ivanov is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Raffinski wants to pass to mount but Ivanov is defending the position.
Raffinski thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ivanov's head.
Ivanov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Raffinski scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ivanov seems to have got his legs back now.
Raffinski not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Raffinski is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ivanov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Raffinski.
Ivanov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raffinski throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Raffinski thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Raffinski drops an elbow to the side of Ivanov's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ivanov pushes Raffinski off looking to stand but Raffinski dives back in and keeps control.
Raffinski not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Raffinski has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Raffinski seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Raffinski lands a nice short elbow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Raffinski connects with a nice short shot to Ivanov's temple.
Raffinski throwing shots but Ivanov is blocking nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Quentin Raffinski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Raffinski has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 25:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 25:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Quentin Raffinski!
After the fight, Quentin Raffinski was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.