Blagoy Ivanov just edged out the returning Ben Rothwell tonight by unanimous decision in a closely fought heavyweight encounter at UFC Fight Night 146.
Round One:
Light leg kick for Rothwell. he’s much the bigger man in there and so far Ivanov’s reaching punches aren’t landing. Ivanov trying to put together a flurry, but Rothwell lands a leg kick that knocks the smaller man off his feet for a moment.
Rothwell sticking the jab in Ivanov’s face. Glancing right hand from Ivanov as Rothwell steps forward. Big kick attempt from Rothwell, but eats a counter punch.
Right hook for Ivanov. Left hand from Rothwell hurts Ivanov. Now punches from Ivanov. leg kick from Rothwell. Body punch and then a right hook for Ivanov.
Left hand gets through for Rothwell after a period of inactivity. Rothwell lands a leg kick now. Left and then a short right behind it land for Rothwell.
leg kick for Rothwell then steps in with a right hand and more behind it to end the round.
Round Two:
Jab lands for Ivanov. Body punch for him now. He sticks the jab again. Rothwell stalking now. Knee threatens upstairs from Rothwell.
Jab still pumping out from the smaller man. Now a solid straight left. Rothwell with a left hand now. he goes for a head kick, but it’s blocked.
Right hook for Ivanov gets past Rothwell’s outstretched arm. uppercut for Ivanov. Left hook for Rothwell. Body punch from Ivanov.
Right hand then a big left hook for Rothwell that snapped Ivanov’s head back. Ivanov landing a solid punch and that just fires up Rothwell who comes back landing hard. Ivanov connects again too though and Rothwell has blood flowing from his nose.
Rothwell still stalking though. He lands a left and a right. Now another combo. Another straight left for Rothwell. Another lands.
The pace picked up significantly later in that round and both men are showing signs of damage around the face.
Round Three:
Jab working again for Ivanov to start the third. Two punch flurry from Rothwell. Body punch lands to the chest from Rothwell.
Ivanov targetting the body. Boetsch attempting to get the thai clinch, but doesn’t secure it and eats punches.
jab for Ivanov. leg kick for Rothwell. Rothwell lands a groin kick and apologizes as his opponent quickly recovers.
Jabs again for Ivanov. Missed kick from Rothwell. One two for Ivanov. Now a more powerful one-two from ROthwell in return. Left hook for Rothwell lands solidly.
Ivanov working punches but also eats a hook counter. Short one-two for Rothwell. Both men loading up but just missing. Low leg kick for Ivanov.
left hand for Rothwell. Now a flurry with a few punches partially connecting. Jab for Ivanov. Two left hands for him now. left hook for Rothwell and then a left hook. Ivanov swinging as he marches forward. Head kick attempt from Rothwell and an elbow. Rothwell stepping up the pace in the final seconds, but we’re headed to the judges scorecards.
Decision:
Competitive fight then, but the judges are unanimous in their decision and it’s Ivanov who edges it (29-28 x3).