PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alex Fridman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexey Ignashov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fridman's entrance music is Who's the King?. A fine choice. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Fridman
vs
Ignashov

190 cm
22
230 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

194 cm
20
266 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Tesla Apparel [Everything $15]

Syndicate Drugs
Win Nutritional - proof of quality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alex Fridman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexey Ignashov!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Dmitry Maklakov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fridman tries to land a front kick but Ignashov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Fridman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ignashov was well out of range. Poor timing from Fridman.
Ignashov throws a body kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Ignashov.
Ignashov tries a head kick but it misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Fridman looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A chopping leg kick lands by Fridman.
Fridman misses with a series of wild punches.
Ignashov throws a solid leg kick but Fridman takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ignashov.

Ignashov moves into the clinch.
Fridman avoiding damage as Ignashov throws knees to the body.
Ignashov tries to land knees in the clinch but Fridman avoids the damage to the body.
Ignashov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fridman is defending well for now.
Ignashov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ignashov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ignashov throws an elbow but it misses.
Fridman has had enough of the clinch but Ignashov keeps him there for the moment.
Ignashov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Fridman's defenses.
Fridman avoiding damage as Ignashov throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignashov missing with knees to the body.
Ignashov lands a good knee to the midsection. Fridman won't want to take too many of those.
Fridman avoids the elbow strike from Ignashov, against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Ignashov throws an elbow but misses.
Ignashov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Fridman is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ignashov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Fridman blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Fridman pulls guard.
Ignashov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fridman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ignashov postures up in Fridman's guard and throws a big left but Fridman blocks it.
Fridman is trying to control the position but Ignashov postures up.

Ignashov decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Fridman, up you get!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fridman misses with a wild combination.
Fridman will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ignashov is looking to land body kicks.

Ignashov has closed the distance and engaged Fridman in a clinch.
Ignashov crunches a lovely knee into Fridman's ribcage.
Ignashov lands a knee to the body.
Fridman is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ignashov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fridman avoids it.
Ignashov misses with a knee to the head.
Fridman managing to block the knees to the body from Ignashov.
Fridman blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Fridman pulls Ignashov into guard.
Ignashov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ignashov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fridman not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fridman avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Fridman keeping moving, preventing Ignashov from controlling successfully.
Ignashov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Fridman utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ignashov scores with a kick to the midsection.

Ignashov instigates a clinch.
Fridman managing to block the knees to the body from Ignashov.
Ignashov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Ignashov unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignashov trying to land knees to the body.
Ignashov landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Ignashov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Fridman's face.
Ignashov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fridman is defending well for now.
Nice elbow from Ignashov.
Fridman on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ignashov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Fridman blocks it with crossed arms.
Ignashov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Ignashov trying to land knees to the body.
Ignashov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fridman avoids it.
Fridman managing to block the knees to the body from Ignashov.
Fridman avoiding damage as Ignashov throws knees to the body.
Ignashov trying to land knees to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fridman managing to block the knees to the body from Ignashov.
Ignashov misses with a knee strike.
Fridman has had enough of the clinch but Ignashov keeps him there for the moment.
Ignashov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ignashov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fridman.
Fridman misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ignashov throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Fridman.
A head kick misses from Ignashov.
Fridman scores with a punch to the head.
Fridman throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fridman checks a low kick from Ignashov.
Ignashov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ignashov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fridman throws a hook but Ignashov avoids it easily.
Fridman misses with a few strikes there.
Fridman lands with a shot to the body.
Fridman throws a series of punches but Ignashov avoids them all with ease.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A head kick from Ignashov lands but Fridman takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fridman misses with the combination.
Fridman tries to bum rush Ignashov with a series of wild strikes but Ignashov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fridman on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Ignashov lands a head kick. Fridman smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Fridman connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Fridman throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ignashov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ignashov.
Ignashov is looking to slow Fridman down with leg kicks.

Ignashov forces Fridman back against the cage and clinches.
Fridman takes an elbow to the forehead.
Ignashov lands a knee to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ignashov scores with a knee to the head.
Ignashov lands an elbow just above Fridman 's eye.
Ignashov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignashov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ignashov misses with a knee to the head.
Ignashov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Fridman in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Ignashov scores with a knee to the head.
Ignashov tries to land a knee to the head but Fridman blocks with his arms.
Ignashov missing with knees to the body.

Fridman breaks from the clinch.
Fridman swinging wilding here.
Fridman throws a leg kick that is checked

and Ignashov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Ignashov obliges.
Ignashov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Nice elbow from Ignashov.
Ignashov misses with a knee to the head.

Fridman breaks from the clinch.
Fridman throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Fridman just misses with a punch to the body.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Ignashov in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ignashov clinches.
Ignashov missing with knees to the body.
Fridman wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ignashov has him pressed against the cage.
Ignashov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A knee to the head by Ignashov.
Fridman blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ignashov trying to land knees to the body.
Fridman slows down the pace here.
Ignashov tries to land knees in the clinch but Fridman avoids the damage to the body.
Fridman wants to get back to striking at distance but Ignashov won't allow it.
Ignashov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fridman avoids it.
Ignashov trying to land knees to the body.
Alexey Ignashov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ignashov keeps control of Fridman as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Fridman breaks the clinch.
Fridman misses with a body punch
and Ignashov counters with a good, hard body kick but Fridman shrugs it off.
Fridman throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ignashov.
Fridman throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Ignashov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Fridman looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Ignashov lands an elbow just above Fridman 's eye.
Ignashov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Fridman blocks an elbow strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ignashov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Knees in the clinch landing for Ignashov.
Fridman dodges an elbow strike from Ignashov.
Ignashov tries a knee to the head but Fridman blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexey Ignashov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Fridman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

A big right from Fridman misses.
Ignashov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ignashov slaps away a takedown attempt from Fridman, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Fridman tries to bum rush Ignashov with a series of wild strikes but Ignashov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fridman rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ignashov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ignashov walks into a left hand.
Ignashov throws a head kick that misses.
Fridman throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ignashov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ignashov.
Ignashov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ignashov lands with a kick to the temple. Fridman shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ignashov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Fridman.

Ignashov pushes Fridman up against the cage in a clinch.
Ignashov tries to land a knee to the head but Fridman blocks with his arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignashov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Fridman lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Fridman blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ignashov tries to land a knee to the head but Fridman blocks with his arms.
Ignashov tries a knee to the head but Fridman blocks it.
Fridman avoiding damage as Ignashov throws knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ignashov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fridman's brow.
Fridman managing to block the knees to the body from Ignashov.
Ignashov looking to throw knees to the head but Fridman is blocking nicely.
Ignashov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fridman is defending well for now.

Fridman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fridman throws a leg kick

and Ignashov counters by moving into the clinch.
Ignashov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Fridman's efforts to push away.
Ignashov lands a damaging elbow.
Ignashov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fridman is defending well for now.
Fridman pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignashov scores a nice knee to the body.
Ignashov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Fridman is trying to break the clinch but Ignashov is controlling him.
Fridman on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ignashov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Fridman has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ignashov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Fridman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Alex Fridman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ignashov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fridman wants to clinch
and Ignashov counters with a leg kick.
Fridman misses with a few strikes there.

Ignashov drives through and clinches with Fridman against the cage.
Ignashov misses with a knee to the head.
Fridman managing to block the knees to the body from Ignashov.
Ignashov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fridman wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ignashov trying to land knees to the body.
Ignashov being controlled against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ignashov.
Ignashov misses with a knee to the head.
Ignashov being controlled against the cage.
Fridman wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ignashov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fridman avoids it.
Fridman is looking to break free of the clinch but Ignashov has double underhooks.
Fridman blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ignashov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Fridman blocks an elbow strike.

That's four 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.
Fridman trying to stall but Ignashov improves his position.
Ignashov missing with knees to the body.
Fridman controlling the action here for a moment.
Ignashov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Fridman manages to break the clinch.
Fridman throws a jab but it's blocked by Ignashov.
Alex Fridman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
An inside leg kick lands from Ignashov.
Alexey Ignashov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fridman with a jab.
Alexey Ignashov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fridman fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ignashov checks it well.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Fridman is defended easily by Ignashov.
Ignashov slaps away a takedown attempt from Fridman, before circling back to the center of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexey Ignashov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ignashov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexey Ignashov!