PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ali Bagov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Izuagbe Ugoh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ugoh comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Inner Circle - Bad Boys kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Izuagbe Ugoh has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bagov
vs
Ugoh

189 cm
19
215 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

191 cm
21
207 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Fast

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ali Bagov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Izuagbe Ugoh!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Lou da Vinci and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bagov closes the distance and clinches up with Ugoh, looking for a takedown. Bagov pushes Ugoh against the cage but Ugoh circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Bagov walks into a straight right hand from Ugoh.
Ugoh throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bagov.
A big right from Ugoh misses.
Bagov tries to counter with a takedown but Ugoh is quick to defend against it.
Ugoh thumps Bagov with a low kick.
Bagov shoots in and drives through. Ugoh sprawls well.
A lazy left from Ugoh finds it's target.
Ugoh connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Bagov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ugoh.
Bagov appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Bagov manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Ugoh on his heels. He'll look to pass Ugoh's guard now, I'm sure.
Bagov wants to pass the guard but Ugoh is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ugoh keeping moving, preventing Bagov from controlling successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ugoh working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bagov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bagov cracks Ugoh with a solid left hand.
Ugoh really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bagov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bagov passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Bagov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ugoh is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Bagov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ugoh is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
A lull in the action here as Bagov stalls from top position.

Bagov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bagov trying to control the position but Ugoh is working away.
Bagov advances nicely into full mount.
Bagov wants to control the pace but Ugoh is squirming around nicely.
Ugoh is desperately trying to improve his position but Bagov has a good base and remains in mount.
Bagov wants to control the pace but Ugoh is squirming around nicely.

Bagov wants to finish this one by submission but Ugoh is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Bagov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bagov controlling his opponent.
Bagov looking to finish with strikes here!

Bagov is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Ugoh has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Ugoh!

Bagov throws his legs up looking for a submission but Ugoh uses it to pass to side control.
Bagov wants to control but Ugoh postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ugoh is looking to take a break and control but Bagov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bagov regains half guard.
Bagov trying to control but Ugoh postures up.
Bagov is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Ugoh is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Bagov looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Izuagbe Ugoh will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bagov misses with a wild body shot.
A countering left hand to the body from Ugoh misses.
Bagov walks forward, straight into a front kick from Ugoh.
Bagov has his takedown stuffed
and Ugoh counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bagov shoots in for a takedown but Ugoh shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ugoh connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Donk. Ugoh catches Bagov right on the button with a cross.

It looks like Ali Bagov has been cut.

Bagov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Ugoh!
Bagov scores with punches from side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ugoh tries to buck Bagov off but Bagov is having none of it.
Bagov is looking to take a break and control but Ugoh is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ugoh is trying to escape the position but Bagov is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bagov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ugoh is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Ugoh is trying to control Bagov's posture but Bagov avoids it.

Bagov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Ugoh has escaped the position, nice work there.
Ugoh looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Ugoh is trying to escape the position but Bagov is controlling the position.

Bagov swings around for an armbar but Ugoh sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Bagov's guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bagov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Bagov is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Bagov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Bagov trying to keep a closed guard but Ugoh is proving a slippery customer.
Ugoh is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bagov looking for a guillotine here but Ugoh defends easily.

Bagov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ugoh's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Bagov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ugoh is aware though and is defending well.
Ugoh stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bagov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ugoh not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's four 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.
Bagov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Bagov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Bagov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bagov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Bagov looking to pass the guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bagov passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Bagov connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Ugoh some visible discomfort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ali Bagov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ali Bagov's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Bagov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Bagov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ugoh manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Bagov throws a big right hand that misses.
Bagov trying to control the position from guard on top but Ugoh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bagov looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ugoh seems keen to control Bagov's posture.
Ugoh avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ali Bagov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bagov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ugoh is keeping the position for now.
Bagov pushing down on Ugoh's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Bagov is looking to advance position but Ugoh won't allow it.

Bagov is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Ugoh as he works his way to full guard.
Bagov trying to control the position from guard on top but Ugoh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bagov postures up in Ugoh's guard and throws a big left but Ugoh blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Bagov stays in close to Ugoh's body and controls the position.
Bagov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Bagov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bagov trying to control the position from guard on top but Ugoh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ugoh throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Ugoh keeps Bagov at a distance using the push kick.
Bagov takes one to the chin there.
Bagov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ugoh.
Bagov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ugoh as he jumps to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bagov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ugoh but Ugoh pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ugoh let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Ugoh displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bagov.
Ugoh feints a counter leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ali Bagov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bagov misses with a straight left.
Bagov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ugoh counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ugoh bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Bagov shoots and misses
and Ugoh counters with a nice uppercut.
Ugoh scores with a jab to the body.
Ugoh uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bagov.
Ugoh dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bagov. That did some damage!
Ugoh scoring well with a low kick there.
Ugoh turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ugoh lands with an uppercut that bounces Bagov off the cage and back into range.
Ugoh keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A slapping body kick lands there for Ugoh.
Ugoh lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Bagov is rocked!
Bagov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ugoh swivels and escapes.
Oh Bagov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Bagov takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Bagov seems to have got his legs back now.
Izuagbe Ugoh is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ugoh jabs Bagov right on the nose. Bagov blinks but takes it well.
Ugoh will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ugoh thuds a left hand into Bagov's body.
Ugoh scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bagov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ugoh sprawls well. Ugoh wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bagov gets slowly back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Izuagbe Ugoh comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ugoh has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Izuagbe Ugoh!
Izuagbe Ugoh decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.