The clock ticked into the final thirty seconds of Round 2.
Both men were breathing heavier now, sweat covering their backs and shoulders. The pace had slowed slightly, but the danger hadn't.
Ivan jabbed forward, then stepped into a right hand that glanced off RRD's temple. RRD stayed calm, circled left, then right, and came in low.
He changed levels fast. Ivan didn't react in time. RRD drove forward and wrapped his arms around the hips, then pushed with his shoulder. Ivan tried to widen his base, but RRD angled off and dragged him to the mat.
Jon Goodman reacted right away. "There it is! First takedown from RRD in the fight. That's huge."
Rich Alvarez followed. "It took almost ten minutes, but he finally found the timing. I expected more of this from him, honestly. He's been a top grappler his whole career."
Ivan scrambled from bottom, but RRD held tight and moved to half guard. He locked his arm around the head and leaned in, pressing his weight down.
