PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Marcurius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexey Ignashov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexander Marcurius has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Marcurius
vs
Ignashov

225 cm
24
225 lbs
5 - 10 - 0

198 cm
23
248 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 5 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alexander Marcurius!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alexey Ignashov!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Patrick Alders and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ignashov tries for a takedown but Marcurius circles away easily
and Marcurius counters with a nice uppercut.
Ignashov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Marcurius.
Ignashov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Marcurius closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Ignashov tries to clinch

and Marcurius counters by moving into the clinch.

Marcurius breaks from the clinch.
Ignashov shoots and misses
and Marcurius counters with a three punch combo that has Ignashov backing up. Ignashov nods at Marcurius to acknowledge the strikes.
Marcurius fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ignashov avoids it really well and circles away.

Marcurius closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Marcurius really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Marcurius wants to get back to striking at distance but Ignashov won't allow it.
Marcurius tries to circle away but Ignashov has him pinned against the cage.
Ignashov blocks the elbow strike.
Marcurius gets underhooks to prevent Ignashov's takedown attempt.
Alexander Marcurius has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexey Ignashov.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Marcurius pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ignashov. Marcurius shrugs it off though.
Marcurius throws a nice looking combination but Ignashov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ignashov tries to clinch up

and Marcurius holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marcurius turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Ignashov tries to escape but Marcurius is in control.
Ignashov is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Marcurius scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Ignashov to see if he's OK.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ignashov looks gassed!
Ignashov dodges the ground and pound from Marcurius.

Marcurius stands up and beckons Ignashov to his feet.

Ignashov clinches with his opponent.
Marcurius blocks an uppercut.

Marcurius has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Ignashov is trying to keep an underhook but Marcurius manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Marcurius prevents Ignashov from standing back up.

Marcurius is working for a kimura but Ignashov is defending it quite comfortably.
Marcurius controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marcurius postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Ignashov to stand up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Marcurius jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Marcurius scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Ignashov moves to clinch but Marcurius breaks away
and Marcurius counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Marcurius scores with a head kick.

Marcurius closes the distance and clinches.

Marcurius breaks from the clinch.
Ignashov misses with a takedown attempt

so Marcurius counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Marcurius sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Marcurius lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Marcurius knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ignashov on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marcurius passes Ignashov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Marcurius is looking for a kimura but Ignashov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Marcurius to get the leverage.

Marcurius is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Marcurius is looking for a kimura but Ignashov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Marcurius to get the leverage.
Marcurius missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Marcurius missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Marcurius is looking for a kimura but Ignashov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Marcurius to get the leverage.
Marcurius with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Marcurius working the head and body with strikes.

Marcurius is trying to work for a kimura but Ignashov is defending well.

Marcurius is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ignashov is just riding it out for now. Marcurius eventually gives up the hold.
Marcurius seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marcurius frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Marcurius dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ignashov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Marcurius to score with a decent uppercut.
Ignashov with a lazy takedown attempt

and Marcurius counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Ignashov's guard now.
Marcurius throwing strikes but missing.
Ignashov is looking to stand up but Marcurius isn't so interested in that idea.

Marcurius thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ignashov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marcurius is looking to work some ground and pound but Ignashov has wrist control.
Ignashov is breathing heavily.
Ignashov keeping moving, preventing Marcurius from controlling successfully.
Marcurius postures up and lands a big shot to Ignashov's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marcurius showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Marcurius has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Marcurius trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Marcurius trying to control the position from guard on top but Ignashov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ignashov wants to get back to his feet but Marcurius is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Marcurius trying to control the position from guard on top but Ignashov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marcurius trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Alexander Marcurius.
Ignashov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ignashov there as he acknowledges the shot.

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.
Ignashov has his takedown stuffed

and Marcurius counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Ignashov's guard now.
Marcurius is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ignashov can do to turn this around?
Marcurius trying to control but Ignashov is working from the bottom.

Ignashov is working an open guard so Marcurius takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Marcurius 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.
Ignashov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Marcurius slips nicely into half guard.
Alexander Marcurius overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ignashov scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Marcurius manages to mount him!
Marcurius in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Marcurius has hold of Ignashov's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Ignashov manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Marcurius looking to secure an arm triangle but Ignashov defends it well.
Marcurius looking to control and managing it successfully.
Marcurius fails to move to back control.
Ignashov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Ignashov really wants to buck Marcurius off and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ignashov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Marcurius takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Marcurius trying to control but Ignashov is having none of it.
Ignashov is looking to get to half guard.
Marcurius punishing his opponent with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Marcurius dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Marcurius rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ignashov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ignashov with a poor takedown
and Marcurius counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Marcurius throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ignashov darts in trying to clinch

and Marcurius counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Ignashov!

Marcurius with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Ignashov tries to buck Marcurius off but he can't manage it.
Marcurius fails to move to back control.
Marcurius trying to control but Ignashov is having none of it.
Ignashov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Marcurius scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Ignashov?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marcurius takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Marcurius trying to control but Ignashov is having none of it.
Marcurius working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Ignashov tries to lock up and control but Marcurius gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Marcurius pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Marcurius looking to control and managing it successfully.
Marcurius looking to finish Ignashov with some ground and pound. This is bad for Ignashov!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marcurius lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Marcurius lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Marcurius has control of Ignashov's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Ignashov regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Marcurius looking to secure an arm triangle but Ignashov defends it well.
Marcurius scoring with strikes but Ignashov is staying in there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignashov trying desperately to get to his feet.

Marcurius stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Marcurius scores with a three punch combo!
Marcurius is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Left hook, right uppercut from Marcurius.
Marcurius scores with a three punch combo!

Marcurius pushes Ignashov up against the cage in a clinch.

Marcurius pulls Ignashov into guard.
Marcurius has Ignashov pulled in close to control his posture.

Marcurius looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ignashov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ignashov wanted to stand there but Marcurius had control of the position.

Marcurius has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Ignashov off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marcurius throws a series of punches but Ignashov avoids them all with ease.
Marcurius throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ignashov.
Marcurius lands a jab-cross combination.
Marcurius looks to land a combination. Ignashov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Marcurius throws a one two combo.

Marcurius bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ignashov tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Ignashov is wriggling around trying to escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marcurius punishing his opponent with strikes.
Marcurius takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Alexey Ignashov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alexander Marcurius is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Marcurius stands up from mount. Strange move.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Marcurius showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Marcurius has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:25
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:25
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Marcurius!