PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hunter Hearst Helmsley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexey Ignashov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Helmsley kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is hhh. Alexey Ignashov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hearst Helmsley
vs
Ignashov

197 cm
20
279 lbs
3 - 7 - 0

198 cm
23
248 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
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 3 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hunter Hearst Helmsley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alexey Ignashov!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Paul Aken and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ignashov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ignashov wants it to stay on the feet.
Crunch! Ignashov slams his shin into Helmsley's torso.

Ignashov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ignashov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Helmsley to see if he's OK.

Ignashov goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Helmsley has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Ignashov but great work by Helmsley.
Ignashov is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Helmsley asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Helmsley goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Ignashov rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Helmsley's guard! Nice work there by Ignashov!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ignashov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ignashov is in close to Helmsley's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Ignashov has gone for a leg lock! Helmsley slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ignashov's guard.

Ignashov has his feet on Helmsley's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignashov wants to clinch but Helmsley slips to the side

and Helmsley counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Ignashov wants to stand up but Helmsley is controlling him.
Ignashov looks gassed!
Helmsley stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ignashov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Helmsley postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Helmsley works over Ignashov with some ground and pound from guard.
Helmsley sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Ignashov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Helmsley is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helmsley throws a strike but Ignashov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Helmsley working for a triangle but Ignashov defends it easily.
Ignashov looking to pass the guard.

Helmsley is looking for a triangle but Ignashov pushes his legs off easily.
Helmsley throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Helmsley looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ignashov is one step ahead there.

Ignashov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helmsley throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Ignashov tries to stand but Helmsley is controlling from the bottom.
Helmsley looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ignashov is one step ahead there.
Helmsley doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Ignashov postures up in Helmsley's guard and throws a big left but Helmsley blocks it.
Helmsley is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ignashov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Ignashov wants to get up but he can't break Helmsley's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Helmsley with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Ignashov can't handle though.
Ignashov tries to free his leg and advance position but Helmsley is retaining full guard.
Ignashov throws a big right hand that misses.
Helmsley controlling the position.

Helmsley is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Helmsley throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Ignashov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Helmsley has his foot on Ignashov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ignashov works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Hunter Hearst Helmsley will probably get the nod.
That's time! Helmsley's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Helmsley scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Helmsley shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Ignashov is trying to defend but Helmsley finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Helmsley prevents Ignashov from improving his position.
Helmsley is looking to take a break and control but Ignashov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Helmsley prevents Ignashov from standing back up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Helmsley looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Helmsley sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ignashov defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helmsley slows the pace down in half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Helmsley tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ignashov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Helmsley prevents Ignashov from standing back up.
Helmsley moves nicely into side control.

Helmsley stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Helmsley forces Ignashov back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helmsley missing with knees to the body.
Helmsley scores with a shoulder strike.

Helmsley pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Helmsley lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Helmsley shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ignashov manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Ignashov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Ignashov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Helmsley controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignashov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Hunter Hearst Helmsley wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Helmsley shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Helmsley controlling the action here.

Helmsley 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. Helmsley eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Helmsley is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ignashov has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ignashov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hunter Hearst Helmsley dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ignashov doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Helmsley counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Ignashov!
Helmsley trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Ignashov is trying to stand.
Helmsley content just to control the position here.

Helmsley gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Alexey Ignashov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Helmsley closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Ignashov did well to prevent Helmsley getting side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Helmsley is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ignashov has managed to free his arm - good work.
Helmsley is pressing down on Ignashov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ignashov is holding on for now.
Hunter Hearst Helmsley overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignashov tries to get to full guard but Helmsley has control of the leg.
Helmsley sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Ignashov wants to get back to his feet.

Helmsley seems to be looking for submissions.
Helmsley content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Helmsley seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Ignashov for as long as he can get away with.
Helmsley scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Helmsley is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Helmsley is keen to just control but Ignashov is a slippery customer.

Helmsley 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. Helmsley eventually gives up the hold.
Ignashov wants to stand back up but Helmsley manages to pass into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignashov is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Helmsley is controlling him well.
Ignashov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Helmsley wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Helmsley working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Helmsley creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Ignashov wants to get back to his feet but Helmsley is dominant here and he's now got Ignashov's back!
Ignashov has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

Helmsley is persistently looking for the submission but Ignashov is defending it well.
Helmsley connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Ignashov to escape the position.
Alexey Ignashov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hunter Hearst Helmsley is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Helmsley has good solid back control here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hunter Hearst Helmsley showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Helmsley 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 30:26
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:26
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hunter Hearst Helmsley!