PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Dzhumagaliev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Ignatov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ignatov has chosen Fler-Ghetto Beat as his entrance music. Vladimir Ignatov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Dzhumagaliev
vs
Ignatov

185 cm
31
190 lbs
28 - 12 - 1

186 cm
34
186 lbs
24 - 11 - 3

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Revolution Clothing

BHP Clothing
Milwaukee's Best 160 (80% laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikolai Dzhumagaliev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 11 - 3, fighting out of New York, Vladimir Ignatov!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Donald Grub and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A bone on bone clash there as Dzhumagaliev blocks the leg kick.
Dzhumagaliev takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nikolai Dzhumagaliev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ignatov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Dzhumagaliev.

Dzhumagaliev moves into the clinch.
Ignatov throws a punch but it's blocked by Dzhumagaliev.
Ignatov swings wildly with an uppercut but Dzhumagaliev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ignatov tries to work over Dzhumagaliev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ignatov swings wildly with an uppercut but Dzhumagaliev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ignatov swings wildly with an uppercut but Dzhumagaliev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ignatov swings wildly with an uppercut but Dzhumagaliev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ignatov has Dzhumagaliev pressed against the cage, preventing Dzhumagaliev from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Dzhumagaliev takes an elbow to the temple.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dzhumagaliev takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Nikolai Dzhumagaliev has been cut.
A head punch on the inside from Dzhumagaliev fails to land.
Ignatov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ignatov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ignatov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ignatov dodges an elbow strike from Dzhumagaliev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignatov misses with the head strike.
Dzhumagaliev lands a left hand.
A shot in the inside from Ignatov.
Ignatov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ignatov blocks an elbow strike from Dzhumagaliev.
Ignatov throws a head punch that misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ignatov.
Ignatov lands with a right to the head.
Dzhumagaliev tries to work over Ignatov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Dzhumagaliev blocking some punches.
Dzhumagaliev lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ignatov backwards.
Ignatov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Dzhumagaliev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Dzhumagaliev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Dzhumagaliev lands an elbow inside that Ignatov shrugs off.

It looks like Vladimir Ignatov has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ignatov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ignatov swings wildly with an uppercut but Dzhumagaliev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dzhumagaliev tries to work over Ignatov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Dzhumagaliev throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ignatovs head.
Ignatov gets through Dzhumagaliev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Dzhumagaliev lands an elbow that stopped Ignatov in his tracks for a moment.
Our sources have told us that Dzhumagaliev has been working on his elbows in the gym.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ignatov misses with some punches.
Dzhumagaliev looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Dzhumagaliev gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ignatov lands a right hand.
Dzhumagaliev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Ignatov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ignatov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Dzhumagaliev's elbow.
Dzhumagaliev pushes off an throws an elbow but Ignatov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Ignatov lands a nice uppercut.
Dzhumagaliev lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Dzhumagaliev letting Ignatov take a breather here.
Dzhumagaliev lands a nice elbow.
Ignatov presses Dzhumagaliev against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Dzhumagaliev looking to stall.
Dzhumagaliev throws an elbow that misses.
Ignatov throws a punch but it's blocked by Dzhumagaliev.
Dzhumagaliev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Dzhumagaliev lands a right hand.
A short right from Ignatov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Dzhumagaliev lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Ignatov.
Dzhumagaliev throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Ignatov is leaning against Dzhumagaliev and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Nice body punch from Dzhumagaliev - that landed with a thud.
Ignatov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Dzhumagaliev lands with a light punch inside.
Dzhumagaliev lands with a light punch inside.
Dzhumagaliev lands a right hand.
Dzhumagaliev scores with a shoulder strike.
Dzhumagaliev pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Ignatov lands a left hand.
Ignatov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dzhumagaliev.
Ignatov pushes off an throws an elbow but Dzhumagaliev leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Ignatov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a punch on the inside.
Dzhumagaliev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ignatov has him pressed against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ignatov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ignatov misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov misses with a punch to the body.

Ignatov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ignatov lands with a cross.
Ignatov misses with a kick to the body.
Ignatov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Dzhumagaliev motions for Ignatov to come forward. Dzhumagaliev throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ignatov scoring well with a low kick there.
Ignatov has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Dzhumagaliev is landing a low percentage of strikes.
A head kick from Dzhumagaliev lands but Ignatov takes it in his stride.
Ignatov ducks under a wild hook from Dzhumagaliev.
Ignatov appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Dzhumagaliev throws a leg kick but Ignatov checks it.
Ignatov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Dzhumagaliev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Dzhumagaliev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ignatov has him pressed against the cage.
Ignatov throws a head punch that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ignatov is working Dzhumagaliev over against the cage.
Dzhumagaliev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Dzhumagaliev lands an elbow that stopped Ignatov in his tracks for a moment.
Dzhumagaliev scores with a hook to the body.
Ignatov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vladimir Ignatov will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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.

Ignatov lands a glancing blow to the side of Dzhumagaliev's head.

Dzhumagaliev closes the distance and pushes Ignatov back into the cage.
Dzhumagaliev scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ignatov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Dzhumagaliev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Dzhumagaliev throws a head punch that misses.
Ignatov blocks an elbow strike from Dzhumagaliev.
Dzhumagaliev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ignatov tries to work over Dzhumagaliev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

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

Ignatov clinches up against the cage.
Ignatov blocks an elbow strike from Dzhumagaliev.
Ignatov avoids the elbow strike from Dzhumagaliev, against the cage.
Ignatov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Dzhumagalievs head.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Dzhumagaliev misses with an elbow over the top.
Ignatov blocks the elbow strike.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Dzhumagaliev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ignatov throws a lazy right hand but Dzhumagaliev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Dzhumagaliev swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ignatov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignatov takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Ignatov scores with a jab. Dzhumagaliev acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Nice defenses there by Ignatov.
Ignatov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a looping left.
Ignatov misses with a straight left.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a low kick.
Ignatov lands a slapping body shot.
Dzhumagaliev moves out of range of the body kick from Ignatov.
Vladimir Ignatov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ignatov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ignatov throws a shot to the body.
Ignatov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dzhumagaliev throws a poor cross that misses
and Ignatov makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Ignatov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dzhumagaliev manages to avoid it.
Dzhumagaliev scores with a three punch combo!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Dzhumagaliev drives through and clinches with Ignatov against the cage.
Ignatov lands a damaging elbow.
Dzhumagaliev lands a nice uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dzhumagaliev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ignatov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ignatov tries a body shot but Dzhumagaliev blocks it.
Ignatov misses with a punch on the inside.
Ignatov prevents a body shot from Dzhumagaliev.
Ignatov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Dzhumagaliev backwards.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ignatov.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ignatov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ignatov is trying to break the clinch but Dzhumagaliev has him pressed against the cage.
Ignatov misses with an elbow strike.
Dzhumagaliev scores with a shoulder strike.
Dzhumagaliev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Dzhumagaliev misses with some punches.
Dzhumagaliev creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ignatov's defenses.
Dzhumagaliev struggles to land a body shot inside as Ignatov controls his hands.
Dzhumagaliev gets through Ignatov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ignatov lands an uppercut.
Ignatov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ignatov swings wildly with an uppercut but Dzhumagaliev uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov has a couple of punches blocked by Dzhumagaliev.
Dzhumagaliev pushes off an throws an elbow but Ignatov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Ignatov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ignatov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Dzhumagaliev backwards.
Ignatov misses with a short punch on the inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Ignatov.
Ignatov struggles to land a body shot inside as Dzhumagaliev controls his hands.
Ignatov blocks an elbow strike from Dzhumagaliev.
Dzhumagaliev tries to break free but Ignatov pushes him back against the cage.
Dzhumagaliev lands with a light punch inside.
Ignatov lands an elbow that stopped Dzhumagaliev in his tracks for a moment.
Ignatov struggles to land a body shot inside as Dzhumagaliev controls his hands.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ignatov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Dzhumagaliev.
Ignatov working aggressively here.
Dzhumagaliev takes a shot to the head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Dzhumagaliev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ignatov's brow.
Vladimir Ignatov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Dzhumagaliev pushes off an throws an elbow but Ignatov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Ignatov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short right from Ignatov on the inside.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ignatov.
Ignatov lands a body punch.
A short left from Ignatov.
Dzhumagaliev blocking some punches.
Ignatov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ignatov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Dzhumagaliev pushes Ignatov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Dzhumagaliev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ignatov tries to work over Dzhumagaliev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ignatov misses with the head strike.
Ignatov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ignatov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ignatov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Dzhumagaliev prevents a body shot from Ignatov.
Ignatov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Ignatov fails to land.
Ignatov lands a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Ignatov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Ignatov tries a low kick but Dzhumagaliev avoids it.
Dzhumagaliev throws the left hand but Ignatov avoids the punch easily.
Ignatov takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Dzhumagaliev has closed the distance and engaged Ignatov in a clinch.
Dzhumagaliev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ignatov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ignatov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Dzhumagaliev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Dzhumagaliev throws an elbow but it misses.
Ignatov dodges an elbow strike from Dzhumagaliev.
Ignatov can't find room to land a body shot as Dzhumagaliev controls the action.
Ignatov swings wildly with an uppercut but Dzhumagaliev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ignatov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dzhumagaliev scores with a nice hook to the head.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ignatov takes a shot to the head.
Dzhumagaliev lands an uppercut.
Ignatov lands an elbow inside that Dzhumagaliev shrugs off.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ignatov avoids a wild elbow strike from Dzhumagaliev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignatov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Dzhumagaliev backwards.
Ignatov lands a left hand.
Dzhumagaliev lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ignatov backwards.
Dzhumagaliev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Dzhumagaliev as the two fighters clinch.
A short right from Dzhumagaliev.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ignatov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Dzhumagaliev's brow.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ignatov.
Dzhumagaliev pushes Ignatov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, Dzhumagaliev scores with a nice short uppercut.

Ignatov is rocked!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ignatov.
Ignatov is still on wobbly legs! Can Dzhumagaliev finish him?
Dzhumagaliev prevents a body shot from Ignatov.

Dzhumagaliev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ignatov seems to have recovered his senses.
Dzhumagaliev lands with a nice body punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ignatov connects with a crisp jab.
Dzhumagaliev looks to land a body kick but Ignatov moved away.
Dzhumagaliev backing away here, and Ignatov unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Dzhumagaliev throws a head kick that misses
and Ignatov counters with a thumping low kick.

Dzhumagaliev has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ignatov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Dzhumagaliev backwards.
Ignatov tries to throw a body punch but Dzhumagaliev avoids it by throwing Ignatov back against the cage.
Nikolai Dzhumagaliev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ignatov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ignatov throws a hook to the side of Dzhumagaliev's head but Dzhumagaliev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A slow jab from Dzhumagaliev misses its intended target.

Dzhumagaliev has Ignatov up against the cage in a clinch.
Ignatov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Dzhumagaliev pushes off an throws an elbow but Ignatov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Dzhumagaliev has a couple of punches blocked by Ignatov.
Ignatov blocks the elbow strike.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a punch to the body.
Dzhumagaliev lands an elbow inside.
Dzhumagaliev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ignatov misses with some punches.
Dzhumagaliev looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Dzhumagaliev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ignatov avoids a wild elbow strike from Dzhumagaliev.
Dzhumagaliev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Dzhumagaliev makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ignatov being controlled against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dzhumagaliev blocks an elbow strike.
Ignatov lands with a left to the head.
Ignatov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Dzhumagaliev backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ignatov.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Dzhumagaliev fails to land.
A nice left hand lands by Ignatov.
Ignatov working aggressively here.
Dzhumagaliev lands an elbow inside.

Dzhumagaliev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice uppercut there from Ignatov.
Ignatov scoring well with a low kick there.
Dzhumagaliev moves forwards but Ignatov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ignatov connects with a leg kick. Dzhumagaliev looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Dzhumagaliev throws out a loose jab but Ignatov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dzhumagaliev throws an overhand right that lands on Ignatov's shoulder, as Ignatov tries to avoid the shot.
Ignatov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dzhumagaliev moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Dzhumagaliev checks a low kick from Ignatov.
Dzhumagaliev attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Ignatov throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Ignatov moves out of range as Dzhumagaliev throws a body kick.
Ignatov delivers a nice body kick.
Dzhumagaliev walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ignatov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Dzhumagaliev takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Dzhumagaliev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ignatov misses with the head strike.
Dzhumagaliev lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Vladimir Ignatov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ignatov misses with some punches.
Ignatov misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ignatov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Dzhumagaliev is defending well for now.
Ignatov scores with a shot to the side of Dzhumagaliev's head.
Dzhumagaliev has a couple of punches blocked by Ignatov.
Ignatov blocks a body shot from Dzhumagaliev.
Ignatov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Nikolai Dzhumagaliev.
Well Ignatov 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladimir Ignatov!
An out of breath Vladimir Ignatov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.