PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maksim Ivanski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Itsik Obas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Obas is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Perfect Gentelman. This should be fireworks!

Ivanski
vs
Obas

182 cm
28
215 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

205 cm
28
220 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Fast

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Maksim Ivanski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Itsik Obas!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Frank Dennis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Obas moves into the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Obas takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Ivanski wants to take the fight to the mat but Obas manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Obas lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Obas tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ivanski avoids it.
Obas gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Obas lands an elbow just above Ivanski 's eye.

It looks like Maksim Ivanski has been cut.
Ivanski blocks an elbow strike from Obas.

Ivanski has hold of one of Obas's legs. Obas is fighting the takedown attempt but Ivanski gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Obas is pulling down on Ivanski's head. It's preventing any offense from Ivanski, at least for the moment.
Obas avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Obas working a defensive guard here.
Obas is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Obas looking for a sweep. Not yet Obas, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Itsik Obas has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Ivanski has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ivanski looking for a takedown.
Obas gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ivanski.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksim Ivanski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ivanski has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Obas after a bit of a struggle.
Obas throws an elbow that misses.
Ivanski has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Obas avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Obas managing to block the knees to the body from Ivanski.
Obas tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Obas lands an elbow just above Ivanski 's eye.
Obas misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ivanski.

Ivanski turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Obas is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The ground and pound from Ivanski seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanski throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Ivanski working the strikes but Obas uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ivanski keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Obas is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ivanski's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ivanski's back!
Ivanski manages to reverse the position and now he's in Obas's guard. Nice work there by Ivanski.
Ivanski stopping the sweep attempt from Obas.
Ivanski working some strikes from top position.
Ivanski wants to stand but Obas is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanski working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Obas pulls Ivanski in close to prevent any damage.
Ivanski preventing the sweep.
Ivanski loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ivanski postures up in Obas's guard and throws a big left but Obas blocks it.
Ivanski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ivanski throws a big elbow that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ivanski accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ivanski is looking to work some ground and pound but Obas has wrist control.
Ivanski won't allow Obas to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Obas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ivanski working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Obas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ivanski stopping the sweep attempt from Obas.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Obas is on top in guard.
Obas postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Obas is looking to work some ground and pound but Ivanski has wrist control.
Obas wants to stand but Ivanski has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Ivanski tries to land a sweep but no joy.
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 Maksim Ivanski will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Maksim Ivanski's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Obas. Ivanski shrugs it off though.
Ivanski fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Obas avoids it really well and circles away.
Obas tries to close the distance and clinch but Ivanski swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Obas tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A head kick misses from Obas.

Obas moves into range and clinches up with Ivanski.
Obas working Ivanski over with knees to the body.
Ivanski can't find room to land a body shot as Obas controls the action.
Obas misses with an elbow strike.
Obas trying to land knees to the body.
Obas stops a takedown attempt from Ivanski.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Obas.
Obas lands an elbow that stopped Ivanski in his tracks for a moment.
Ivanski takes an elbow to the temple.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Obas lands a nice elbow.
Ivanski avoids the elbow strike from Obas, against the cage.

Ivanski jumps guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Obas gets to his feet - Ivanski follows without any prompting.
Obas throws a sloppy head kick and Ivanski moves out of range easily.

Ivanski rushes Obas and presses him up against the cage.
Obas lands an elbow inside that Ivanski shrugs off.
Ivanski jumps guard but Obas turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksim Ivanski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Obas with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Obas lands an elbow inside.
Obas landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Itsik Obas seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Obas throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Obas gets underhooks to prevent Ivanski's takedown attempt.
Obas with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Ivanski manages to pull guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Obas throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ivanski works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Ivanski throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Obas trying to control the position from guard on top but Ivanski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Obas would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Ivanski has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Obas can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Obas working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ivanski's head.
Ivanski utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Obas is in close to Ivanski's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Obas trying to control but Ivanski is working from the bottom.
Obas wanted to stand there but Ivanski had control of the position.
Obas in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanski throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Obas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Ivanski working for a triangle but Obas defends it easily.
Maksim Ivanski overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Obas landing some decent shots from guard.
Obas postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Obas is in close to Ivanski's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Obas throwing strikes but missing.
Obas in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Obas throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Obas won't allow Ivanski to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Obas's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Ivanski might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Obas trying to control the position from guard on top but Ivanski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Itsik Obas hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Obas wants to clinch up but Ivanski keeps it at a distance.
Ivanski will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ivanski throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ivanski swats away the attempt to clinch by Obas.
Ivanski shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Obas defends it nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ivanski misses with a few strikes there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Obas lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Obas darts in and clinches Ivanski up against the cage.

Ivanski turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Ivanski manages to end up in side control.
Ivanski is chipping away with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Itsik Obas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Maksim Ivanski's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Ivanski tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Obas swivels and escapes.

Ivanski closes the distance and clinches.
Obas lands a damaging elbow.
Obas lands an elbow just above Ivanski 's eye.
Obas utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Obas lands a knee to the body.
Obas lands an elbow inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Obas lands a knee to the body.
Obas lands a nice elbow.
Obas lands a good knee to the midsection. Ivanski won't want to take too many of those.
Obas comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Obas gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Obas unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Obas gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Obas putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ivanski in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Obas creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ivanski's defenses.
Obas lands a nice knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Obas lands an elbow inside.
Obas putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ivanski in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Obas lands a knee to the body.
Obas is struggling to control the position.
Obas creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ivanski's defenses.
Obas gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Obas lands an elbow just above Ivanski 's eye.
Obas lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Obas is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ivanski is keeping busy.
Ivanski tries to pull guard but Obas forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Ivanski drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Obas gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksim Ivanski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ivanski takes an elbow to the temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ivanski is looking to take this one to the mat.
Obas comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Obas lands a nice elbow.
Obas gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Obas lands an elbow inside that Ivanski shrugs off.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Obas just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ivanski's brow.
Ivanski takes a knee right on the jaw!
Obas avoiding damage.
Obas is looking to control Ivanski's arms but Ivanski gets an underhook and turns him. Now Obas has his back to the cage.
Obas comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Obas wants to stall.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Obas just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ivanski's brow.
Ivanski avoiding damage as Obas throws knees to the body.
Ivanski takes an elbow to the temple.
Obas is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ivanski is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Obas creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ivanski's defenses.

Maksim Ivanski's cut is getting worse.
Obas crunches a lovely knee into Ivanski's ribcage.
A short right from Ivanski on the inside.
Obas creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ivanski's defenses.
Obas with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Obas lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ivanski takes an elbow to the temple.
Obas is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Ivanski looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Obas lands an elbow that stopped Ivanski in his tracks for a moment.
Obas throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Obas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Obas utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Obas utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

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!
Obas landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Obas lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Obas comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Obas putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ivanski in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Ivanski takes an elbow to the temple.
Obas lands a damaging elbow.
Obas is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Obas creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ivanski's defenses.
Ivanski takes an elbow to the forehead.
Obas lands a good knee to the midsection. Ivanski won't want to take too many of those.
Obas creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ivanski's defenses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Obas unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Come on Obas - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Knees to the body from Obas.

And that's the end of the fight!
Itsik Obas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Obas 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:29

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