PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cole Lake (ranked 4669 p4p, 3915 weight class) and Ibragim Ibragimov (ranked 387 p4p, 362 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Lake
vs
Ibragimov

178 cm
19
160
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
150
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Barry Bonds Performance Enhancers -160Q
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cole Lake!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ibragim Ibragimov!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ibragimov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Lake feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Lake postures up.
Lake prevents Ibragimov from getting back to his feet.
Lake stands and throws Ibragimov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Ibragimov is trying to get back to half guard.
Ibragimov is trying to control Lake's posture but Lake avoids it.
Ibragimov is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Lake asserts his dominance and retains side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lake landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Ibragimov is being controlled here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibragimov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Sloppy strikes there by Lake.
Ibragimov seems a little lost for a moment, as Lake dominates the positioning.
Lake tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Lake throws an elbow but Ibragimov slips to the side and avoids it well.
Ibragimov wants to control but Lake postures up.
Lake is staying tight to Ibragimov's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Ibragimov is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Ibragimov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Ibragimov is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Lake has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Ibragimov is letting Lake control him for a moment.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ibragimov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Lake postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Lake takes a little break here. Ibragimov wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Lake tries to move to mount but Ibragimov blocks the move with his legs.
Ibragimov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ibragimov wants to get back to his feet but Lake drags him back down.
Ibragimov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Lake prevents Ibragimov from escaping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lake working the ground and pound from side control.
Lake is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Ibragimov pushes Lake away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Lake gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Lake working away.
Ibragimov is being controlled here.
Lake has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Lake decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lake feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Lake is pushing down on Ibragimov's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ibragimov is fighting to maintain full guard but Lake has managed to sneak the leg through.
Lake blocks the strikes from Ibragimov.
Lake perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Ibragimov trying to control from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ibragimov tries to roll over but Lake keeps him under control.
Lake is taking a breather. Ibragimov says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Ibragimov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Lake in particular looking to stall.
Lake missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cole Lake dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lake gets a clinch.

Lake has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Ibragimov is trying to keep an underhook but Lake manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Ibragimov is trying to stand up here but Lake is controlling him well.

Lake is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ibragimov is looking to improve his position.
Lake is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ibragimov can do to turn this around?
Lake controlling the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ibragimov won't allow Lake to pass to mount.
Ibragimov is looking to escape.
Ibragimov is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lake sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ibragimov defending well though.
Lake seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Lake takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Ibragimov wants to control but Lake is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Lake performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Lake is pressing down on Ibragimov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ibragimov is holding on for now.
Lake slows the pace down in half guard.
Lake's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Ibragimov is looking for a sweep. Lake is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ibragimov controlling the position for now.
Ibragimov tries to kick Lake off but Lake keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Lake shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Ibragimov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ibragimov.

Lake is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Ibragimov presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Lake can't get the takedown.
Ibragimov prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cole Lake. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lake stalls.

Lake lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Lake controlling the pace.
Cole Lake overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ibragimov is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lake is looking to take a break and control but Ibragimov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Lake has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Lake prevents Ibragimov from standing back up.
Lake controlling the action here.
Ibragimov is trying to get back to full guard.
Ibragimov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ibragimov.
Ibragimov trying to control the position.
Ibragimov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Lake with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lake sitting in guard here, content to control.
Ibragimov is trying to keep Lake in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Lake working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lake controls from within his opponent's guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ibragimov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lake engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Lake moves into the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cole Lake dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Lake shoots in for a takedown but Ibragimov shows good takedown defense.
Ibragimov shoots in for a double leg but Lake sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lake misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Lake is looking to clinch.

Ibragimov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Lake!
Ibragimov landing a few strikes.
Lake is pushing Ibragimov's head away, looking to escape. Ibragimov manages to hold on to the position though.
Ibragimov landing strikes.
Ibragimov misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Lake is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Ibragimov misses with the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lake is trying to get back to his feet.
Ibragimov trying to control the position but Lake is working away.
Lake is trying to buck Ibragimov off.
Lake managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Ibragimov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lake is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Ibragimov has just dragged him back down to the mat.
The strikes coming from Ibragimov are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Lake tries to escape but Ibragimov is in control.
Ibragimov landing a few strikes.
Ibragimov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Lake is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Lake trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Ibragimov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Ibragimov landing strikes.
Lake tries to escape but Ibragimov is in control.

Lake bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Ibragimov leaves Lake with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ibragim Ibragimov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cole Lake. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ibragimov tries to keep at a distance but Lake has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ibragimov wants a takedown but no success here.
Lake is trying to drag Ibragimov to the mat but Ibragimov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ibragimov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Lake prevents it.
Lake is looking for a takedown.
Lake misses with an elbow over the top.
Ibragimov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Lake after a bit of a struggle.
Ibragimov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Lake gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ibragimov goes for a takedown attempt but Lake pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ibragimov or perhaps it was just good defense by Lake, which made it look bad.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lake.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lake tries to clinch but Ibragimov moves out of range.

Ibragimov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Lake manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Lake kicks Ibragimov off and gets to his feet.
Lake shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ibragimov as he avoids it easily.
Ibragimov slaps away a takedown attempt from Lake, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lake shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ibragimov sprawls well. Ibragimov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lake gets slowly back to his feet.

Ibragimov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Lake!

Lake throws Ibragimov to one side and escapes!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cole Lake is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Ibragimov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Ibragimov prevents Lake from escaping the position.
Cole Lake is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibragimov landing a few strikes.
Lake is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Ibragimov asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Ibragimov lands an elbow.
Ibragimov lands an elbow.
Ibragimov prevents Lake from escaping the position.
Lake parries the strikes from Ibragimov easily there. Ibragimov is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Lake to escape.
Lake wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Ibragimov throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Ibragimov throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Lake is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Lake wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ibragim Ibragimov.
I think Lake has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cole Lake!