PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Ignatov (ranked 2630 p4p, 335 weight class) and Kevin Whitfield (ranked 2583 p4p, 327 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Ignatov might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Fler-Ghetto Beat. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ignatov
vs
Whitfield

186 cm
40
186 lbs
32 - 16 - 3

184 cm
35
203 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

KOMBAT KLOTHING

Venom Combat Sports

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 32 - 16 - 3, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vladimir Ignatov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kevin Whitfield!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Saam Ante and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ignatov misses with a telegraphed body shot

so Whitfield counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Whitfield is looking to work some ground and pound but Ignatov has wrist control.
Ignatov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Whitfield is one step ahead there.
Ignatov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Whitfield throws a big elbow that misses.
Whitfield throwing strikes from guard but Ignatov blocks nicely.
Whitfield distracts Ignatov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whitfield throwing strikes but missing.
Whitfield postures up in Ignatov's guard and throws a big left but Ignatov blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Whitfield accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Whitfield trying to control but Ignatov is working from the bottom.
Whitfield with a nice head shot there.
Whitfield working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Whitfield missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Whitfield passes into half guard.
Whitfield throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Whitfield throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ignatov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Whitfield scores with a couple of nice shots.
Whitfield thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Whitfield missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whitfield thows a huge punch but Ignatov dodges it nicely.
Whitfield looks to land a strike but Ignatov avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Whitfield tries to free his leg and advance position but Ignatov is retaining full guard.
Whitfield trying to control the position from guard on top but Ignatov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Whitfield working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ignatov's head.
Whitfield with a nice head shot there.
Whitfield with a nice head shot there.
Whitfield throwing strikes but missing.
Ignatov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Whitfield throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ignatov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitfield postures up and lands a big shot to Ignatov's brow.
Whitfield trying to control but Ignatov is working from the bottom.
Ignatov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Whitfield trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ignatov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Whitfield moves out of range of the leg kick from Ignatov.
Ignatov misses with a straight right.
Whitfield checks a leg kick nicely.
Ignatov tries to score with a low kick but Whitfield moves his leg out of the way.
Ignatov wants to slow Whitfield down by chopping away at his legs.
Whitfield is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's four 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.

Ignatov takes the fight into the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ignatov as Whitfield tries to tie him up.
Whitfield wants to take the fight to the mat but Ignatov manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Ignatov lands a shoulder strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ignatov.
Ignatov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Whitfield backwards.
Ignatov blocks an uppercut.
Ignatov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Whitfield.
Ignatov lands a nice shot to the body.
Whitfield misses with a punch to the body.
Ignatov tries to throw a body punch but Whitfield avoids it by throwing Ignatov back against the cage.

Whitfield breaks from the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Whitfield avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Whitfield drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ignatov defends it well.
Ignatov avoids the head kick by Whitfield.
Ignatov misses the body punch

and Whitfield decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ignatov's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin Whitfield dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ignatov throws a jab but it's blocked by Whitfield.

Ignatov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Ignatov breaks from the clinch.
Ignatov scoring well with a low kick there.
Ignatov looks to land a left hand but Whitfield moved out of range nicely.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ignatov. That's going to slow Whitfield down.
Whitfield does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Whitfield lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Whitfield takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Whitfield has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ignatov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Whitfield punishes Ignatov's body with a nice straight punch.
Ignatov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ignatov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Whitfield sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ignatov.
Whitfield ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Whitfield with the counter takedown but Ignatov avoids it easily.
Vladimir Ignatov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ignatov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Whitfield checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Whitfield feints the counter takedown.
Ignatov lands with a good body shot.

Ignatov rushes Whitfield and presses him up against the cage.
Ignatov misses with a punch to the body.
Ignatov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Whitfield lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Whitfield is trying to break the clinch but Ignatov has him pressed against the cage.
Ignatov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ignatov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ignatov has Whitfield pressed against the cage, preventing Whitfield from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Whitfield swings wildly with an uppercut but Ignatov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ignatov is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Ignatov breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Whitfield is out of range.
Ignatov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Whitfield.
Ignatov throws a leg kick that is checked

and Whitfield counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Whitfield.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ignatov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Whitfield.
Whitfield throwing strikes but missing.
Whitfield working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ignatov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Whitfield trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Whitfield with a nice head shot there.
Whitfield working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ignatov's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitfield postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Whitfield loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Whitfield throwing strikes but missing.
Ignatov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Whitfield postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Whitfield throws an elbow that misses. Ignatov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Whitfield's guard. Nice move by Ignatov!

Ignatov is fighting to break Whitfield's control of his arms but Whitfield is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Ignatov won't allow Whitfield to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitfield has control of Ignatov's left arm, preventing Ignatov from doing any damage.
Ignatov stopping the sweep attempt from Whitfield.
Our spies down at at Nemesis Gym inform us that Whitfield has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Whitfield trying to control the position here.
Whitfield wants to sweep here but Ignatov controlling him for the moment.
Whitfield working a defensive guard but Ignatov passes into half guard.
Whitfield is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kevin Whitfield has got the better of the ground game so far.
Whitfield trying to control but Ignatov postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Ignatov dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ignatov clinches up with Whitfield and pushes him back against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Whitfield.
Vladimir Ignatov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Ignatov breaks the clinch.
Ignatov misses the shot to the body.
Whitfield walks into a stiff left hand from Ignatov.
Ignatov feints and then cracks Whitfield's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Whitfield down.
Ignatov throws a body punch but Whitfield moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ignatov is looking to chop away at Whitfield's legs.
Whitfield feints the counter takedown.
Ignatov takes a swing at Whitfield's ribcage but misses.
Whitfield tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Ignatov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Whitfield manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ignatov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Whitfield's sensitive parts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignatov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ignatov wants to slow Whitfield down by chopping away at his legs.
Whitfield steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ignatov.
And Whitfield tries to counter it with a takedown but Ignatov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ignatov tries to work over Whitfield's front leg with a kick but Whitfield checks it.
Whitfield feints the counter takedown.
Ignatov scores with a nice strike.
Whitfield stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ignatov.
Ignatov throws a shot from downtown. Whitfield moves away and avoids it.
Whitfield uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ignatov.
Ignatov tries to clinch up but Whitfield circles away and keeps his distance.
Whitfield with the counter takedown but Ignatov avoids it easily.
A jab from Ignatov misses.
Whitfield is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ignatov throws a chopping leg kick but Whitfield manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Ignatov misses with a leg kick.
And Whitfield tries to counter it with a takedown but Ignatov pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov throws a lazy right hand but Whitfield sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Whitfield slips under a jab from Ignatov.
Whitfield is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Good leg kick by Ignatov there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ignatov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Whitfield blocks a jab.
Ignatov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Whitfield with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ignatov misses with an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ignatov is looking to clinch.
Whitfield feints the counter takedown.
Ignatov loads up on a big right hand but Whitfield slips the punch.
Whitfield drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ignatov defends it well.
Ignatov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Whitfield.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Whitfield drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ignatov defends it well.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Ignatov 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 Whitfield has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Whitfield and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Ignatov is looking to clinch but Whitfield is avoiding it.
Whitfield's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ignatov is looking to score with low kicks.
Whitfield with the counter takedown but Ignatov avoids it easily.
Whitfield cracks the inside of Ignatov's front leg.
Ignatov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ignatov misses with an uppercut. Whitfield saw that one coming.
Ignatov misses with a hook.
Ignatov throws a jab but it's blocked by Whitfield.
Ignatov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Whitfield keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ignatov.
Whitfield drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ignatov defends it well.
Ignatov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Whitfield.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov throws a hook to the side of Whitfield's head but Whitfield sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ignatov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Whitfield with the counter takedown but Ignatov avoids it easily.

Ignatov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Whitfield blocking some punches.
Whitfield drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ignatov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Whitfield swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Whitfield swings wildly with an uppercut but Ignatov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Whitfield wants to break free but Ignatov has control.
Whitfield wants to take the fight to the mat but Ignatov manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Ignatov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ignatov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Whitfield drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ignatov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Vladimir Ignatov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin Whitfield.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ignatov misses with a hook to the ribs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vladimir Ignatov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ignatov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 29:28
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladimir Ignatov!
Vladimir Ignatov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Kevin Whitfield spoke after the fight, saying 'Losses early on mean nothing. Character builders that remind me of how hard this business is. Time to hit the gym once again. I'll be back.'.