PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Leo Cristophe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Birigiz Ignatiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Leo Cristophe had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 136.0lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cristophe
vs
Ignatiev

168 cm
24
148 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

160 cm
22
145 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Syndicate Nutrition (DUS)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Leo Cristophe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Birigiz Ignatiev!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Damien Edna and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cristophe fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ignatiev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cristophe tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cristophe tries to clinch up but Ignatiev circles away and keeps his distance.
Ignatiev goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Cristophe fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cristophe closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ignatiev counters with a nice leg kick.
Ignatiev looks to land a right hand but Cristophe moved out of range.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ignatiev.
Ignatiev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick misses from Ignatiev.
Cristophe keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cristophe wants to clinch.
Ignatiev throws a low kick but Cristophe moves out of range easily.
Cristophe tries to clinch but Ignatiev moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cristophe gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Ignatiev.
Cristophe blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Cristophe has a couple of punches blocked by Ignatiev.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Cristophe obliges.
Ignatiev avoids the elbow strike from Cristophe, against the cage.
Ignatiev dodges an elbow strike from Cristophe.
Cristophe creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ignatiev dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Ignatiev blocks an elbow strike.
Ignatiev dodges an elbow strike from Cristophe.
Knees to the body from Ignatiev.
Ignatiev tries to stall but Cristophe uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ignatiev managing to block the knees to the body from Cristophe.
Ignatiev tries to stall but Cristophe uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Cristophe stalling in the clinch.
Ignatiev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cristophe avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ignatiev as Cristophe tries to tie him up.
Cristophe misses with a body punch.
Ignatiev misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cristophe.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ignatiev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cristophe blocks it with crossed arms.
A bit of stalling here from Cristophe.
Ignatiev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cristophe avoids it.
Ignatiev tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Cristophe blocks a body shot from Ignatiev.
Ignatiev blocks an elbow strike.
Cristophe is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ignatiev misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cristophe.
Ignatiev avoids a wild elbow strike from Cristophe.
Cristophe tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ignatiev avoids it.
Ignatiev misses with a body punch.
Ignatiev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cristophe's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev tries a knee to the head but Cristophe blocks it.
Cristophe throws an elbow that misses.
Cristophe blocking some punches.
Ignatiev tries a knee to the head but Cristophe blocks it.
Cristophe tries to land knees in the clinch but Ignatiev avoids the damage to the body.
Ignatiev takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Birigiz Ignatiev has been cut.
Ignatiev is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cristophe is defending well for now.
Ignatiev missing with knees to the body.
Cristophe lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Cristophe throws an elbow but it misses.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Ignatiev throws a punch but it's blocked by Cristophe.
Ignatiev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ignatiev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cristophe has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Cristophe misses with some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Cristophe.
Cristophe prevents a body shot from Ignatiev.
Ignatiev misses with some punches.
Cristophe throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Ignatiev unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cristophe lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Cristophe avoiding damage as Ignatiev throws knees to the body.
Cristophe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cristophe will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Ignatiev up against the cage.
Cristophe looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ignatiev is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cristophe is defending well for now.
Cristophe throws an elbow but it misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ignatiev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ignatiev lands with a left to the head.
Ignatiev is trying to stall.
Ignatiev misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cristophe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Birigiz Ignatiev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Birigiz Ignatiev's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ignatiev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cristophe, pushing him back against the cage.
Cristophe lands an elbow just above Ignatiev 's eye.
Ignatiev tries to work over Cristophe's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cristophe lands an elbow inside that Ignatiev shrugs off.
Ignatiev dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Cristophe is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ignatiev is keeping busy.
A bit of stalling here from Cristophe.
Ignatiev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Birigiz Ignatiev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Cristophe blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Cristophe is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ignatiev is defending well for now.
Cristophe misses with a punch on the inside.
Cristophe creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Cristophe throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Ignatiev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Cristophe is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ignatiev is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cristophe looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ignatiev taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Cristophe creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Cristophe pushes Ignatiev back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ignatiev working Cristophe over with knees to the body.
Cristophe avoiding damage as Ignatiev throws knees to the body.
Ignatiev is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cristophe is defending well for now.
Ignatiev tries to throw a body punch but Cristophe avoids it by throwing Ignatiev back against the cage.
Cristophe lands an elbow just above Ignatiev 's eye.
Ignatiev can't find room to land a body shot as Cristophe controls the action.
Cristophe is pushing Ignatiev up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Ignatiev looking to throw knees to the head but Cristophe is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev misses with some punches.
Ignatiev looking to throw knees to the head but Cristophe is blocking nicely.
Ignatiev dodges an elbow strike from Cristophe.
Cristophe blocking some punches.
Cristophe lands an elbow inside that Ignatiev shrugs off.
Ignatiev throws an elbow that misses.
Cristophe on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ignatiev tries a knee to the head but Cristophe blocks it.
Ignatiev missing with knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ignatiev lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ignatiev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ignatiev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cristophe avoids it.
Cristophe trying to land knees to the body.
Cristophe avoiding damage as Ignatiev throws knees to the body.
The referee calls for Cristophe to work.
Cristophe pushes off an throws an elbow but Ignatiev leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev looking to throw knees to the head but Cristophe is blocking nicely.
Ignatiev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ignatiev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ignatiev misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cristophe.
Cristophe slows down the pace here.
Cristophe prevents a body shot from Ignatiev.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ignatiev as Cristophe tries to tie him up.
Cristophe comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Ignatiev manages to break the clinch.
Cristophe is looking to clinch.
Ignatiev throws a leg kick

and Cristophe moves into the clinch.
Cristophe stalling in the clinch but Ignatiev improves position.
Cristophe lands an elbow just above Ignatiev 's eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev tries a body shot but Cristophe blocks it.
Cristophe is trying to maintain a safe position but Ignatiev gets an underhook and turns Cristophe into the cage.
Cristophe throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Cristophe lands with a left to the head.
Cristophe on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ignatiev takes an elbow to the temple.
Ignatiev tries a knee to the head but Cristophe blocks it.
Cristophe misses with an elbow over the top.
Ignatiev tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ignatiev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cristophe's elbow.
Ignatiev avoiding damage as Cristophe throws knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ignatiev tries a knee to the head but Cristophe blocks it.
Ignatiev throws a punch but it's blocked by Cristophe.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ignatiev tries a body shot but Cristophe blocks it.
Ignatiev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cristophe avoids it.
Ignatiev avoiding damage as Cristophe throws knees to the body.
Ignatiev misses with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Birigiz Ignatiev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Birigiz Ignatiev's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ignatiev misses with a low kick.
Cristophe misses with a low kick as Ignatiev jumps back.
Ignatiev misses with a body kick.
Ignatiev circles away from the clinch attempt
and Ignatiev counters with a big head kick but Cristophe shrugs it off.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Cristophe checks a leg kick.
Cristophe tries to close the distance and clinch but Ignatiev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cristophe tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Ignatiev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Ignatiev clinches up against the cage.
Cristophe working aggressively here.
Ignatiev dodges an elbow strike from Cristophe.
Ignatiev is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Ignatiev crunches a lovely knee into Cristophe's ribcage.
Cristophe lands a nice knee to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cristophe stalling in the clinch but Ignatiev improves position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cristophe on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cristophe blocking some punches.
Cristophe wants to stall.
Cristophe lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ignatiev as Cristophe tries to tie him up.
Cristophe is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ignatiev is defending well for now.
Ignatiev misses with a knee strike.
Cristophe tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ignatiev avoids it.
Cristophe struggles to land a body shot inside as Ignatiev controls his hands.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ignatiev.
Cristophe on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ignatiev blocks an elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Cristophe tries to work over Ignatiev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ignatiev dodges an elbow strike from Cristophe.
Ignatiev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ignatiev blocks an elbow strike from Cristophe.
Leo Cristophe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Ignatiev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cristophe tries to close the distance and clinch but Ignatiev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Cristophe closes the distance and clinches.
Cristophe throws an elbow but it misses.
Still in the clinch, Cristophe scores with a nice short uppercut.
Cristophe on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ignatiev lands a left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ignatiev blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ignatiev missing with knees to the body.
Cristophe pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Cristophe trying to stall but Ignatiev improves his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev managing to block the knees to the body from Cristophe.
Cristophe content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Ignatiev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cristophe blocks it with crossed arms.
Cristophe blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ignatiev digs a right hand underneath Cristophe's ribcage. Cristophe let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Ignatiev being controlled against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Leo Cristophe.
Ignatiev tries a head kick but it misses.
Ignatiev looks to score with a jab to the body but Cristophe is just out of range.
Ignatiev lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Cristophe closes the distance but Ignatiev moves to the side
and Ignatiev counters with an outside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Cristophe moves into range and clinches up with Ignatiev.
Cristophe throws an elbow that misses.
Cristophe missing with knees to the body.
Cristophe trying to land knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Cristophe obliges.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ignatiev lands a nice knee to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ignatiev lands a good knee to the midsection. Cristophe won't want to take too many of those.
Still in the clinch, Ignatiev scores with a nice short uppercut.
Cristophe throws a head punch that misses.
Ignatiev misses with a knee strike.
Cristophe lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ignatiev backwards.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ignatiev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Ignatiev lands with a left to the head.
Ignatiev trying to land knees to the body.
Ignatiev connects with a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Birigiz Ignatiev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ignatiev has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Birigiz Ignatiev!