PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Birigiz Ignatiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Venum Tree Knee Dad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Tree Knee Dad's choice of entrance music: Not Falling by Mudvayne. On his way into the cage it seems that Birigiz Ignatiev has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Birigiz Ignatiev seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Ignatiev
vs
Tree Knee Dad

160 cm
34
145 lbs
28 - 12 - 1

170 cm
29
152 lbs
21 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition
Conquer

Pearson Specter Litt
Mohito Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 12 - 1, fighting out of New York, Birigiz Ignatiev!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Venum Tree Knee Dad!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Gregory Folan and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tree Knee Dad gets a takedown into half guard.
Tree Knee Dad wants to take a breather but Ignatiev is having none of it.
Tree Knee Dad trying to pass the guard but Ignatiev defending well.
Tree Knee Dad throwing shots but Ignatiev is blocking nicely.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Tree Knee Dad in particular looking to stall.
Tree Knee Dad trying to pass the guard but Ignatiev defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tree Knee Dad is stalling here. Ignatiev is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Tree Knee Dad seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Ignatiev has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Tree Knee Dad is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignatiev wants to stand but Tree Knee Dad has his arm trapped.

Ignatiev stands up.
Tree Knee Dad throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ignatiev's waist but Ignatiev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tree Knee Dad off to one side.
Ignatiev has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Jungle Elite MMA in the buildup to the fight.

Tree Knee Dad gets a takedown into half guard.
Tree Knee Dad wants to free his trapped foot but Ignatiev is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Ignatiev looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad is looking to advance position but Ignatiev won't allow it.

Tree Knee Dad wants to work for an arm triangle but Ignatiev is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ignatiev is refusing to be controlled, as Tree Knee Dad sits in half guard.
Tree Knee Dad is looking to advance position but Ignatiev won't allow it.
Tree Knee Dad stalling away here and it's allowed Ignatiev to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev is pulling down on Tree Knee Dad's head. It's preventing any offense from Tree Knee Dad, at least for the moment.
Tree Knee Dad pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ignatiev is keeping the position for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Tree Knee Dad swings for the body but Ignatiev moves out of range.
Tree Knee Dad jabs Ignatiev to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Ignatiev clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev tries to land knees in the clinch but Tree Knee Dad avoids the damage to the body.
Ignatiev prevents a takedown attempt there.
Tree Knee Dad tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Birigiz Ignatiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Venum Tree Knee Dad.
Tree Knee Dad swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A right hand to the body from Tree Knee Dad.
Tree Knee Dad changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ignatiev fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ignatiev doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Tree Knee Dad gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Ignatiev holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ignatiev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tree Knee Dad has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ignatiev lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Tree Knee Dad or not.
Ignatiev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tree Knee Dad makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ignatiev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tree Knee Dad's elbow.
Tree Knee Dad blocks a body shot from Ignatiev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Venum Tree Knee Dad dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tree Knee Dad throws a body shot but no joy.
Tree Knee Dad circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tree Knee Dad works Ignatiev's body with a nice hook.
Ignatiev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tree Knee Dad connects with a crisp jab.
Tree Knee Dad is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ignatiev rather than just go for the knockout.

Ignatiev closes the distance and clinches.
Tree Knee Dad can't find room to land a body shot as Ignatiev controls the action.
Tree Knee Dad blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ignatiev misses with the head strike.
Tree Knee Dad has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ignatiev after a bit of a struggle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ignatiev tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tree Knee Dad fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Ignatiev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ignatiev gets underhooks to prevent Tree Knee Dad's takedown attempt.
Birigiz Ignatiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Venum Tree Knee Dad.
Tree Knee Dad is leaning against Ignatiev and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Tree Knee Dad tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ignatiev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignatiev lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ignatiev misses with a short punch on the inside.

Tree Knee Dad gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Tree Knee Dad tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ignatiev knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Tree Knee Dad trying to control the action but Ignatiev is working from the bottom.

Tree Knee Dad is working for a kimura but Ignatiev is defending it quite comfortably.
Ignatiev is trying to stand up here but Tree Knee Dad is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tree Knee Dad looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Ignatiev trying to control from the bottom.
Ignatiev is staying active underneath Tree Knee Dad, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Tree Knee Dad tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ignatiev knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ignatiev is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev throws a body kick that misses.
Tree Knee Dad connects with the punch.

Tree Knee Dad shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Tree Knee Dad working over Ignatiev with some ground and pound. Ignatiev looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Tree Knee Dad perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Tree Knee Dad is nestled in close to Ignatiev, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Tree Knee Dad is trying to control the action in half guard but Ignatiev is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ignatiev looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad is looking to advance position but Ignatiev won't allow it.
Tree Knee Dad prevents Ignatiev from standing back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tree Knee Dad looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Ignatiev tries to kick Tree Knee Dad off but Tree Knee Dad keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Ignatiev clinches up against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ignatiev lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A short body shot lands from Tree Knee Dad as the two fighters clinch.
Ignatiev is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Ignatiev working aggressively here.
Ignatiev misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Venum Tree Knee Dad showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tree Knee Dad lands the left hand.
Ignatiev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ignatiev looks to land a body kick but Tree Knee Dad moved away.
Tree Knee Dad takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ignatiev.
Tree Knee Dad uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ignatiev has time to react.
Ignatiev misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Tree Knee Dad counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Tree Knee Dad passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Ignatiev!
Ignatiev really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Tree Knee Dad looking to control but Ignatiev is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Ignatiev is squirming around, avoiding Tree Knee Dad's attempts to control the action.
Ignatiev is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Tree Knee Dad throws some wild stikes that Ignatiev manages to avoid easily.

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.
Tree Knee Dad can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ignatiev is looking to escape.
Tree Knee Dad throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Tree Knee Dad looking to control but Ignatiev is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Tree Knee Dad throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Ignatiev because Tree Knee Dad loaded up on that one.
Tree Knee Dad throws some wild stikes that Ignatiev manages to avoid easily.
Ignatiev wants to get back to his feet.
Tree Knee Dad tries to control but Ignatiev wriggling away.
Tree Knee Dad looking to ground and pound but Ignatiev is blocking nicely.
Tree Knee Dad has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tree Knee Dad has control of Ignatiev's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Ignatiev regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Tree Knee Dad sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Tree Knee Dad wants to control the pace but Ignatiev is squirming around nicely.
Tree Knee Dad looking to control and managing it successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ignatiev squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Venum Tree Knee Dad really dominated that round.
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.

Tree Knee Dad shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Ignatiev wants to stand up but Tree Knee Dad is controlling him.
Tree Knee Dad pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ignatiev is keeping the position for now.
Tree Knee Dad trying to move into half guard but instead Ignatiev has managed to sweep!

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ignatiev sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Ignatiev stopping the sweep attempt from Tree Knee Dad.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ignatiev avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Tree Knee Dad wants to sweep here but Ignatiev controlling him for the moment.
Ignatiev wants to pass the guard but Tree Knee Dad is keeping the position.

Tree Knee Dad had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ignatiev defends it easily.
Venum Tree Knee Dad has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ignatiev tries to free his leg and advance position but Tree Knee Dad is retaining full guard.
Ignatiev trying to control but Tree Knee Dad is working from the bottom.
Tree Knee Dad seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

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.
Ignatiev is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Ignatiev decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Tree Knee Dad, up you get!
Decent striking displayed by Tree Knee Dad there.
Ignatiev takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Ignatiev avoids the body shot from Tree Knee Dad.
Ignatiev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tree Knee Dad lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Tree Knee Dad scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ignatiev in his tracks.
Tree Knee Dad misses with an uppercut
and Ignatiev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad slips under a jab from Ignatiev.
Ignatiev throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tree Knee Dad closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A big right from Tree Knee Dad misses.
Tree Knee Dad walks into a stiff left hand from Ignatiev.
Ignatiev's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Tree Knee Dad connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Ignatiev scrambles back to his feet.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Ignatiev lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Tree Knee Dad has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Tree Knee Dad and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Tree Knee Dad blocks a head kick by Ignatiev.
Tree Knee Dad works the jab nicely.
Ignatiev throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tree Knee Dad lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Nice sprawl there from Ignatiev as Tree Knee Dad shoots in.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad scores with a sloppy right hand. Ignatiev should have avoided that one.
Tree Knee Dad throws a chopping leg kick but Ignatiev manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Nice defenses there by Ignatiev.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ignatiev connects with a single shot there.
Ignatiev walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Ignatiev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Venum Tree Knee Dad seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tree Knee Dad throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ignatiev seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Tree Knee Dad shoots for a takedown but Ignatiev saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Good exchange - Tree Knee Dad coming out on top.
Ignatiev lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Ignatiev shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Venum Tree Knee Dad dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Tree Knee Dad looks for a takedown but Ignatiev sprawls well.
Ignatiev wants to clinch up but Tree Knee Dad keeps it at a distance.
Tree Knee Dad appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Tree Knee Dad tried to score with a low kick but Ignatiev checks it.
Ignatiev is looking to counter the offense by Tree Knee Dad and move into the clinch.
Tree Knee Dad loads up on a big right hand but Ignatiev slips the punch.
Venum Tree Knee Dad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice sprawl there from Ignatiev as Tree Knee Dad shoots in.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a few strikes there.
Ignatiev moves in looking to clinch but Tree Knee Dad pushes him off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ignatiev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tree Knee Dad attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Ignatiev tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Tree Knee Dad manages to circle out of the way.
Tree Knee Dad shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ignatiev as he jumps to the side.
Birigiz Ignatiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Venum Tree Knee Dad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignatiev takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Ignatiev doesn't manage to clinch there - Tree Knee Dad circles away.
Tree Knee Dad swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Tree Knee Dad tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ignatiev defends well and Tree Knee Dad ends up having to push Ignatiev into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Ignatiev is looking to counter the offense by Tree Knee Dad and move into the clinch.
Tree Knee Dad closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ignatiev circles away.
Tree Knee Dad lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ignatiev avoids the body shot from Tree Knee Dad.
Tree Knee Dad tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ignatiev is able to avoid easily.
Ignatiev slaps away a takedown attempt from Tree Knee Dad, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Tree Knee Dad uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ignatiev.
Tree Knee Dad throws out a counter right but Ignatiev avoids it with no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ignatiev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tree Knee Dad.
Tree Knee Dad tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ignatiev was well out of range. Poor timing from Tree Knee Dad.
Tree Knee Dad has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Birigiz Ignatiev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ignatiev misses with a looping right.
Tree Knee Dad looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Tree Knee Dad looks to throw the jab but Ignatiev is out of range.
Ignatiev tries to counter by clinching up but Tree Knee Dad breaks away and moves out of range.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a takedown
letting Ignatiev counter with a right hand.
Tree Knee Dad has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a looping right.
Ignatiev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tree Knee Dad looks for a takedown but Ignatiev sprawls well.
Ignatiev tries to counter by clinching up but Tree Knee Dad breaks away and moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad tries for a takedown but Ignatiev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Tree Knee Dad on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Venum Tree Knee Dad is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ignatiev misses the shot to the body.
Tree Knee Dad blocks a jab.
Tree Knee Dad just misses with a punch to the body.
The fighters circling - Ignatiev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ignatiev walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tree Knee Dad scores with a takedown into Ignatiev's guard.
Tree Knee Dad wants to control from the top but Ignatiev keeps moving.
Birigiz Ignatiev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tree Knee Dad stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ignatiev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tree Knee Dad is looking to pass into half guard but Ignatiev pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Ignatiev is in guard.

Tree Knee Dad keeping moving, preventing Ignatiev from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ignatiev wants to stand but Tree Knee Dad is controlling his posture from full guard.
Tree Knee Dad utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Venum Tree Knee Dad.
I've got Tree Knee Dad 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 45:50
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 44:50
Judge William Peck scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Venum Tree Knee Dad! Venum Tree Knee Dad retains his featherweight title!
A relieved looking Venum Tree Knee Dad thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.