After Ivan's better striking, Brian knew he couldn't win the stand-up battle, which changed the momentum.
Ivan's defense was too tight, his punches too sharp, and every time Brian tried to deliver a big blow, he was countered.
It was time to change the game plan.
Without hesitation, Brian faked a jab, forcing Ivan to react, then quickly shot in for a single-leg takedown.
His head ducked low as he wrapped his arms around Ivan's leg, driving forward with all his strength.
Ivan, caught off guard by the sudden switch in tactics, instinctively sprawled, pushing his hips back and using his weight to defend against the takedown.
Brian's grip tightened as he pushed forward, trying to complete the move, his face a mask of determination.
Ivan fought back, his hands working quickly to pry Brian's grip off his leg while maintaining his balance.
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The two fighters were locked in a struggle, muscles straining, each trying to gain the upper hand.
Brian drove forward again, this time with more force, but Ivan dropped his weight, pressing his chest onto Brian's back.
Ivan used the opportunity to counter, wrapping one arm around Brian's waist while shoving his other hand into Brian's shoulder, trying to force him off balance.
"Sprawl, Ivan! Sprawl!" Whittier shouted from the corner, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Ivan listened, pushing his hips down further and widening his stance.
But Brian was relentless.
He managed to adjust, pulling Ivan's leg tighter and twisting his body in an effort to turn the corner.
Ivan, sensing that Brian was starting to gain ground, changed tactics.
He grabbed Brian's wrist and attempted to sweep his leg out from under him, hoping to use Brian's momentum against him.
But Brian held on, managing to stay on his feet despite Ivan's counterattack.
It was a stalemate for a moment.
Neither man was willing to concede ground, and the grappling exchange grew more heated with each passing second.
Brian changed positions by slipping his arm out of Ivan's grip and shifting his weight, which was an amazing show of strength and determination.
Before Ivan could react, Brian swept his legs and rolled Ivan onto his back, taking control of the fight in an instant.
Now on top, Brian wasted no time.
He transitioned into a dominant position, wrapping his arm around Ivan's neck and locking in a guillotine choke.
The shift was so fast that Ivan barely had time to process it.
"Get out, Ivan! Don't let him lock it in!" Whittier's voice was very loud and tensed up because he knew Ivan was in danger..
Ivan struggled, trying to break free by pushing against Brian's hips, but Brian's hold was solid.
His biceps flexed as he tightened the choke, pressing down harder on Ivan's neck.
Ivan's face began to turn red as he fought against the pressure.
His legs flailed, trying to push off and escape, but Brian had locked him in tight.
Ivan's hands were working hard to get Brian's arms off of his neck, but the choke was too tight.
"Keep going, Brian! Squeeze!" Chemasov shouted from the other corner, sensing that his fighter was on the verge of victory.
As the choke closed, Ivan's vision started to get blurry.
Brian's arm squeezed tighter, and the oxygen to his brain was being cut off.
His arms grew heavy, and his movements slowed as his body began to fail him.
He was aware that the fight would end soon if he did not act quickly.
Ivan's thoughts raced as his body struggled against the inevitable.
The successes, the setbacks, and the countless hours he had put in to get to this point in his career all flashed before his eyes.
The thought of tapping crossed his mind, but he quickly pushed it aside.
He would never tap.
Not now, not ever.