PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Birigiz Ignatiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Noob Saibot (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Noob Saibot has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ignatiev
vs
Saibot

160 cm
36
145 lbs
30 - 16 - 1

168 cm
31
145 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Perkele!
Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 16 - 1, fighting out of New York, Birigiz Ignatiev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Noob Saibot!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ignatiev moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ignatiev throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Saibot counters with a stiff right hand.
Ignatiev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ignatiev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ignatiev moves away from the strike by Saibot.
It looked like Ignatiev was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Saibot.
Saibot jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Saibot misses with an uppercut. Ignatiev saw that one coming.
Saibot's coach down at Forcefield Ludas was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Saibot's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Saibot swinging wildly here.
Ignatiev throws a lazy uppercut
and Saibot counters with a nice body shot.
Saibot blocks a head kick by Ignatiev.
Saibot throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Birigiz Ignatiev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saibot throws a shot to the body.
Saibot missing with a left hand there. Ignatiev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ignatiev is looking to counter the offense by Saibot and move into the clinch.
Ignatiev moves in looking to clinch but Saibot pushes him off.
A telegraphed right hand from Ignatiev misses the target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ignatiev tries to clinch up.

Ignatiev gets a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saibot is trying to break free.
Saibot is trying to drag Ignatiev to the mat but Ignatiev just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
The referee is keeping an eye on Saibot - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Ignatiev scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Saibot as Ignatiev tries to tie him up.
Ignatiev missing with knees to the body.

Saibot manages to break the clinch.
Ignatiev drops his hands momentarily and Saibot takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Saibot lands a body shot.

Saibot closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Saibot missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Saibot not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ignatiev preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saibot works his way into full mount!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saibot throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Ignatiev manages to regain half guard whilst avoiding the strikes.
Saibot throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Ignatiev to regain full guard.
Ignatiev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Saibot.
Saibot trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Saibot chips away with some ground and pound.
Ignatiev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Saibot is in close to Ignatiev's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saibot is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ignatiev is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ignatiev has escaped and now he's on top!

Saibot is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ignatiev wants to stand but Saibot is controlling his posture from full guard.
Saibot is trying to control the position but Ignatiev postures up.

Saibot had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ignatiev defends it easily.
Ignatiev slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Saibot is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saibot wants to sweep here but Ignatiev controlling him for the moment.

Saibot looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Saibot is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ignatiev defends well.

Saibot is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Ignatiev has his hands clasped together but Saibot extends and breaks Ignatiev's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Saibot.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Noob Saibot!
An out of breath Noob Saibot thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.