PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rammel Ignatov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Randall Hexton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ignatov
vs
Hexton

178 cm
25
164 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

164 cm
25
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rammel Ignatov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Randall Hexton!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ignatov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hexton circles away.

Ignatov has Hexton up against the cage in a clinch.

Hexton breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rammel Ignatov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ignatov with a poor takedown
and Hexton counters with a good low kick that Ignatov was not able to check.

Ignatov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hexton bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ignatov's guard.
Ignatov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hexton.
Hexton looking to pass the guard.

Ignatov working for a triangle but Hexton defends it easily.
Hexton is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hexton passes into half guard.
Ignatov pushes Hexton off looking to stand but Hexton dives back in and keeps control.

Hexton seems to be working for a kimura but Ignatov defends the submission attempt.
Hexton should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Hexton is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ignatov has managed to free his arm - good work.
Hexton prevents Ignatov from improving his position.

Ignatov is defending against the submission attempts here by Hexton.
Hexton trying to mount his opponent but Ignatov defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov is trying to control but can't.
Ignatov is looking for a sweep. Hexton is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Hexton is looking for a kimura but Ignatov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hexton to get the leverage.
Hexton not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ignatov is trying to stand back up but Hexton is controlling him

Hexton is trying to work for a kimura but Ignatov is defending well.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hexton takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ignatov preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Hexton trying to pass the guard but Ignatov defending well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hexton is thwarting Ignatov's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ignatov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hexton wants to control but Ignatov is keeping him busy.
Hexton is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Ignatov tries to hold on but Hexton postures up.

Hexton goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Ignatov turns into him and now he's in Hexton's guard.

Hexton is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ignatov passes Hexton's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov is looking to stall here but Hexton recovers full guard.
Ignatov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Hexton has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ignatov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hexton wants to sweep but no luck.

Hexton had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ignatov defends it easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ignatov distracts Hexton with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hexton working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ignatov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ignatov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ignatov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Randall Hexton will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ignatov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hexton counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hexton avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ignatov fails with the takedown

and Hexton decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ignatov's guard.
Hexton pushes down on Ignatov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Ignatov is not content to let Hexton control the position.

Hexton is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ignatov is just riding it out for now. Hexton eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hexton is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Hexton is pressing down on Ignatov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ignatov is holding on for now.
Ignatov is looking to improve his position.

Ignatov makes his way to full guard, as Hexton worked for a kimura.

Ignatov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hexton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ignatov is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ignatov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hexton is aware though and is defending well.
Hexton wants to control from the top but Ignatov keeps moving.
Hexton slips nicely into half guard.

Ignatov actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice strikes from Hexton there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ignatov is not content to let Hexton control the position.
Hexton is thwarting Ignatov's attempts to control the position.

Ignatov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hexton passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hexton is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Ignatov is surviving well by controlling Hexton's body position as best he can.

Hexton looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Hexton seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Ignatov is holding on tight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hexton wants to finish this one by submission but Ignatov is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Hexton.
Ignatov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hexton raining down hammerfists from mount.
Hexton avoids the attempt from Ignatov to control.

Hexton looking for a guillotine from mount but Ignatov is having none of it.
Ignatov tries to lock up and control but Hexton gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Ignatov prevents Hexton from taking his back.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Hexton looking for a guillotine from mount but Ignatov is having none of it.
Ignatov tries to hold on but Hexton postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hexton landing strikes from the mount and Ignatov is in trouble!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Randall Hexton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Ignatov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ignatov shoots for a takedown but Hexton saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
No luck for Ignatov with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rammel Ignatov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ignatov.

Ignatov gets tackled into the cage by Hexton. Hexton maintains the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hexton slowing the pace effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignatov wants to take the fight to the mat but Hexton manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Hexton receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Ignatov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hexton avoiding damage.
Randall Hexton is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hexton pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ignatov looking for a takedown.
Ignatov has Hexton pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hexton manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hexton lands a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hexton manages to break the clinch.
Ignatov fails with the takedown.
Ignatov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hexton but Hexton pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hexton swings for the body but Ignatov moves out of range.
Ignatov moves out of range as Hexton strikes.
Rammel Ignatov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hexton sprawls well. Hexton wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ignatov gets slowly back to his feet.
Ignatov doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Hexton counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Ignatov's guard now.
Hexton is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Let's hope that Hexton has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Randall Hexton was stalling too much, according to the referee.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ignatov. Hexton does a little dance to reset his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Randall Hexton comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hexton 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Randall Hexton!