PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maksim Ivanski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Narvaez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Narvaez has chosen Soca Warriors Anthem as his entrance music. Rafael Narvaez will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Ivanski
vs
Narvaez

182 cm
30
215 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

191 cm
33
200 lbs
23 - 14 - 1

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Just Fight (Everything 7$)

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 - 5 - 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 23 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rafael Narvaez!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Wesley Smith and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Narvaez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ivanski paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ivanski stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Narvaez.

Ivanski closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Narvaez did well to prevent Ivanski getting side control.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Ivanski not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Narvaez tries to get to full guard but Ivanski has control of the leg.
Narvaez gets full guard.
Ivanski missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Narvaez throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Ivanski wants to control from the top but Narvaez keeps moving.
Narvaez wants to sweep here but Ivanski controlling him for the moment.

Narvaez looking for a guillotine here but Ivanski defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Narvaez working a defensive guard here.

Narvaez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ivanski working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Narvaez's head.
Ivanski in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ivanski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Narvaez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Narvaez trying to control the position.
Ivanski is fighting to break Narvaez's control of his arms but Narvaez is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanski wants to control from the top but Narvaez keeps moving.
Ivanski in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ivanski scoring with punches to the head and body.
Narvaez looking to control.
Ivanski landing some decent shots from guard.
Ivanski wants to pass the guard but Narvaez is keeping the position.
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!
Narvaez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Narvaez has his foot on Ivanski's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ivanski works his way back into a safe position though.
Ivanski wants to control from the top but Narvaez keeps moving.
Ivanski postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanski stopping the sweep attempt from Narvaez.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ivanski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Narvaez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Narvaez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Narvaez throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Narvaez controls Ivanski momentarily but Ivanski frees himself.

Narvaez has his foot on Ivanski's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ivanski works his way back into a safe position though.
Ivanski looking to pass the guard.
Narvaez is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanski loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Narvaez is trying to keep Ivanski in close.
Ivanski throwing strikes from guard but Narvaez blocks nicely.
Ivanski throwing strikes but missing.
Ivanski postures up and lands a big shot to Narvaez's brow.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Narvaez is on top in guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Narvaez stands up over Ivanski, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Narvaez's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Ivanski lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Narvaez!
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.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Narvaez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ivanski swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Maksim Ivanski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ivanski throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Narvaez connects with an inside leg kick.
Ivanski takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ivanski misses with a double jab.
Narvaez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
That kick from Narvaez tenderised Ivanski's leg. Ivanski is trying to keep his angry face on.
Narvaez fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ivanski is trying hard to land a takedown here. Narvaez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ivanski tries to close the distance and clinch but Narvaez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Narvaez slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Narvaez pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Ivanski back to the cage. Narvaez follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ivanski shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Narvaez sprawls well. Narvaez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ivanski gets slowly back to his feet.
Ivanski tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Narvaez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Narvaez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ivanski is looking to clinch.
Horrible takedown by Ivanski or perhaps it was just good defense by Narvaez which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksim Ivanski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Narvaez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ivanski.

Narvaez clinches up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Narvaez fails to land.
Narvaez working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Ivanski looking for a takedown.
Ivanski tries to pull guard but Narvaez forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Narvaez tries to work over Ivanski's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Ivanski is trying to trip Narvaez. He has hold of a leg but Narvaez is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Ivanski persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Narvaez is trying to keep Ivanski in close.
Ivanski trying to control but Narvaez is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Narvaez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ivanski missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Narvaez looking for a guillotine here but Ivanski defends easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Narvaez is pulling down on Ivanski's head. It's preventing any offense from Ivanski, at least for the moment.
Ivanski postures up in Narvaez's guard and throws a big left but Narvaez blocks it.
Narvaez keeping moving, preventing Ivanski from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanski in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Ivanski got a little sloppy there for a moment and Narvaez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ivanski has managed to get both his arms back between Narvaez's legs - danger averted.
Ivanski postures up in Narvaez's guard and throws a big left but Narvaez blocks it.

Narvaez looking for a guillotine here but Ivanski defends easily.
Ivanski scoring with some ground and pound.
Ivanski postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Ivanski working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Narvaez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Narvaez looking for a guillotine here but Ivanski defends easily.
Narvaez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ivanski trying to control but Narvaez is working from the bottom.

Narvaez has his foot on Ivanski's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ivanski works his way back into a safe position though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ivanski stands up over Narvaez, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Narvaez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ivanski defends it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Narvaez thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Narvaez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Nice sprawl there from Narvaez as Ivanski shoots in.
Narvaez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ivanski.
Narvaez stuffs the takedown attempt from Ivanski. Ivanski gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksim Ivanski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Narvaez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ivanski defends it nicely.
Ivanski shoots in for a takedown but Narvaez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ivanski closes the distance looking to clinch
and Narvaez counters with a slapping leg kick.
Ivanski shoots in for a double leg but Narvaez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Narvaez lands with a nice body punch.
Ivanski darts in looking for a takedown but Narvaez gets double underhooks and turns Ivanski into the cage.
Narvaez misses with a body punch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ivanski is trying to pull guard but Narvaez has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Narvaez lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Narvaez gets underhooks to prevent Ivanski's takedown attempt.
Ivanski struggles to land a body shot inside as Narvaez controls his hands.
Ivanski jumps guard but Narvaez stands there with Ivanski around his waist. Ivanski gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Narvaez throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ivanskis head.
Narvaez lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Narvaez.
A shot in the inside from Narvaez.
Narvaez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ivanski gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Narvaez breaks the clinch.
Ivanski has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Ivanski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Narvaez misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Narvaez throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ivanski on the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Narvaez leaves Ivanski with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rafael Narvaez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Narvaez smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ivanski closes the distance and clinches up with Narvaez, looking for a takedown. Ivanski pushes Narvaez against the cage but Narvaez circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Narvaez dives in for a single leg takedown but Ivanski sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Narvaez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Narvaez lands a shot to the body.

Narvaez breaks the clinch.
Ivanski shoots in looking for a takedown but Narvaez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ivanski's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Narvaez lands a really nice looking cross but Ivanski seems unphased.
Ivanski fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Narvaez avoids it really well and circles away.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Narvaez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Narvaez scores with a three punch combo!
Ivanski shoots in for a double leg but Narvaez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
The fighters circling - Ivanski throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Narvaez jabs Ivanski right on the nose. Ivanski blinks but takes it well.
Nice sprawl there from Ivanski as Narvaez shoots in.
Horrible takedown by Ivanski or perhaps it was just good defense by Narvaez which made him look bad.
Narvaez lands with a straight right. Ivanski didn't see that one coming.
Narvaez misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ivanski shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Narvaez defends it nicely.
Narvaez throws a right hand that Ivanski ducks under and follows up with a left that Ivanski also avoids with ease.
Ivanski will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Narvaez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ivanski.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Narvaez lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ivanski's sensitive parts.
Ivanski tries to clinch there but Narvaez circles away.
Ivanski goes for a double leg but Narvaez avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Narvaez continues to drive forward.
Ivanski tries to score a body lock takedown but Narvaez shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Narvaez has picked Ivanski up - he's going for a ride! Narvaez dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Narvaez wants to take a breather but Ivanski is having none of it.
Narvaez lands strikes from half guard.
Narvaez working over Ivanski with some ground and pound. Ivanski looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Narvaez lands with a punch from half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ivanski tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Narvaez has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Ivanski is working to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Narvaez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Narvaez 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Narvaez!
Rafael Narvaez managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Just Fight (Everything 7$), into his post fight interview.