PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ishod Izgoev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Iubesc Nica (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Izgoev
vs
Nica

185 cm
22
260 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

206 cm
22
258 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ishod Izgoev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Iubesc Nica!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Fedor Mirinova and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nica tries to close the distance and clinch up but Izgoev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Izgoev throws a hook to the side of Nica's head but Nica sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nica looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Izgoev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Izgoev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Izgoev tries to clinch up.
Nica tries to clinch

and Izgoev decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Nica's guard.
Nica is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Izgoev is controlling him.
Izgoev wants to stand but Nica has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Nica is working an open guard so Izgoev takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Nica takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Izgoev throws a shot to the body.
Izgoev connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nica's hands.
Izgoev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Izgoev throws a big shot that misses.
Nica wants to clinch

and Izgoev counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Izgoev.
Izgoev is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Izgoev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Izgoev gets to his feet - Nica follows without any prompting.
Izgoev circles away from the clinch attempt
and Izgoev counters with a two punch combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nica looks to clinch

so Izgoev counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Izgoev trying to control but Nica is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Izgoev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Nica is working an open guard so Izgoev takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Izgoev is breathing heavily.
Izgoev misses with a few strikes there.
Nica closes the distance looking to clinch

and Izgoev counters by moving into the clinch.
Nica tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nica is looking to control Izgoev's arms but Izgoev gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nica has his back to the cage.
Nica with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nica pushes off an throws an elbow but Izgoev leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Izgoev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nica has him pressed against the cage.
A knee to the head by Nica.
Nica tries a knee to the head but Izgoev blocks it.
Izgoev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nica.
With the fighters up against the cage, Nica throws an elbow but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Izgoev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Izgoev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Izgoev clinches up with Nica and pushes him back against the cage.
Nica throws a knee to the head but misses.

Izgoev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Iubesc Nica is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nica uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Izgoev.
Nica wants to clinch
and Izgoev counters with a three punch combo that has Nica backing up. Nica nods at Izgoev to acknowledge the strikes.
Ishod Izgoev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Izgoev.
Nice defenses there by Nica.
Izgoev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nica clinches but Izgoev breaks the clinch
and Izgoev counters with a straight right hand.
Nica wants to clinch
letting Izgoev counter with a right hand.
Izgoev is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Nica closes the distance looking to clinch
and Izgoev counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Izgoev misses with an uppercut.
Nica tries to clinch
and Izgoev counters with a left to the body.
Izgoev shoots in for a takedown but Nica shows good takedown defense.
Izgoev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Izgoev throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Nica wants to clinch

and Izgoev counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Knees to the body from Izgoev.
Izgoev tries to break the clinch but Nica is controlling the position.
Izgoev wants to break the clinch but can't.
Izgoev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ishod Izgoev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Izgoev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
An inside leg kick from Izgoev misses.
Izgoev's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Izgoev duly obliges.
Izgoev shoots in for a takedown but Nica shows good takedown defense.
Decent striking displayed by Izgoev there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ishod Izgoev dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Izgoev decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nica is trying to stand back up but Izgoev is controlling him
Izgoev trying to control the pace.

Izgoev is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nica is just riding it out for now. Izgoev eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Izgoev trying to control from half guard but Nica is working away.
Nica tries to kick Izgoev off but Izgoev keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Izgoev looks to land a combination but Nica avoids it well.
Izgoev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nica tries to avoid it but Izgoev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nica to the ground. Nica escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Izgoev throws a big shot that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Izgoev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Nica but Nica pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Izgoev misses with the combination.
Nica darts in trying to clinch
and Izgoev counters with a right hand to the body.
Izgoev connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Nica tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Izgoev counters with a shoot takedown. Nica fights it but they end up in guard.
Nica wants to stand up but Izgoev is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nica wriggles free and stands up.
Nica tries to clinch but Izgoev moves away

and Izgoev counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Nica will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Izgoev up against the cage.
Nica lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Ishod Izgoev has been cut.
Nica with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Izgoev pressing his opponent against the cage.
Nica throws a knee to the head but misses.
Izgoev takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nica connects with a nasty looking knee right to Izgoev's face.
Nica is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Nica lands an elbow inside that Izgoev shrugs off.
Nica lands a damaging elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nica pushes off an throws an elbow but Izgoev leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nica gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Izgoev wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ishod Izgoev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nica is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Izgoev is keeping busy.
Nica pushes off an throws an elbow but Izgoev leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Izgoev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Izgoev throws a jab but it's blocked by Nica.
Izgoev drops Nica with a beautiful combination! Nica stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Izgoev is looking for the KO!

It looks like Iubesc Nica has been cut.
Izgoev tries a head kick but it misses.
Izgoev lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Nica slips a jab from Izgoev.

Izgoev shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nica is looking to stand up but Izgoev isn't so interested in that idea.
Izgoev tries to free his leg and advance position but Nica is retaining full guard.

Izgoev stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Izgoev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nica tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Izgoev counters with a three punch combo that has Nica backing up. Nica nods at Izgoev to acknowledge the strikes.
Nica wants to clinch
enabling Izgoev to counter with a crisp jab.
Nica tries to clinch
and Izgoev counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Izgoev throws a hook but Nica blocks it.
Nica darts in trying to clinch

and Izgoev counters with a single leg into guard. Nica didn't expect that.
Nica wants to stand up but Izgoev is controlling him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Izgoev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ishod Izgoev dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Izgoev lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Nica backs up against the cage.

Nica clinches.
Nica is looking to control Izgoev's arms but Izgoev gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nica has his back to the cage.
Izgoev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nica can do to turn this around?
Nica lands an elbow inside.
A knee to the head by Nica.
Izgoev wants to break free but Nica has control.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Nica throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Izgoev blocks it with crossed arms.
Nica lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Izgoev wants to break free but Nica has control.
Izgoev takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nica avoids the elbow strike from Izgoev, against the cage.
Nica throws a knee to the head but misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nica throws an elbow that misses.
Nica keeps control of Izgoev as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Izgoev wants to get back to striking at distance but Nica won't allow it.
Nica is trying to maintain a safe position but Izgoev gets an underhook and turns Nica into the cage.

Izgoev manages to break the clinch.

Izgoev closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Izgoev lands in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Izgoev with a flurry of punches that miss.

Nica kicks Izgoev off and gets to his feet.
Nica closes the distance but Izgoev moves to the side
and Izgoev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nica tries to close the distance and clinch but Izgoev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nica tries to clinch up.
Nica slips under a jab from Izgoev.
Nica is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nica takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Izgoev throws a hook but Nica avoids it easily.
Nica bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Izgoev fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two 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.
Izgoev swats away the attempt to clinch by Nica.

Izgoev forces Nica back against the cage and clinches.
Izgoev blocks an elbow strike from Nica.
Nica is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Izgoev is keeping busy.

Izgoev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Izgoev lands a jab-cross combination.
Nica looks to clinch
and Izgoev counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A choreographed right hand from Izgoev misses the target.
Izgoev throws out a loose jab but Nica uses good head movement to avoid it.
Izgoev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nica paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Izgoev tries to land a front kick but Nica steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nica moves out of range as Izgoev strikes.
Ishod Izgoev is winning the standup battle so far.
Nica tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Izgoev counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nica with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nica trying to stall but Izgoev improves his position.
The referee calls for Izgoev to work.
Nica lands a damaging elbow.
Nica landing knees to the head.
Izgoev jumps guard but Nica stands there with Izgoev around his waist. Izgoev gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Izgoev blocks an elbow strike.
Izgoev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The is referee keeping an eye on Izgoev - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Nica tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nica throws a knee to the head but misses.
Nica tries a knee to the head but Izgoev blocks it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Nica just misses with a elbow thrown towards Izgoev's brow.
Nica is pressed up against the cage. Izgoev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nica down to the mat. Nica avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ishod Izgoev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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.
Izgoev misses with a head kick.
Izgoev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nica.
Nica closes the distance looking to clinch
and Izgoev counters with a leg kick.
Izgoev connects with a body shot.

Izgoev has closed the distance and engaged Nica in a clinch.
Izgoev can't break the clinch.
Nica lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Izgoev takes an elbow to the forehead.
Nica keeps control of Izgoev as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nica stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Nica lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nica with a knee to the head.

Ishod Izgoev's cut is getting worse.
Nica landing knees to the head.
Izgoev takes a knee right on the jaw!
Iubesc Nica has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Izgoev takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nica misses with an elbow over the top.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ishod Izgoev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Izgoev, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:26
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:26
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ishod Izgoev!