PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Duncan Ferguson (ranked 1765 p4p, 267 weight class) and Tank Ispa (ranked 77 p4p, 13 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Ferguson
vs
Ispa

191 cm
24
212 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

190 cm
24
221 lbs
12 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Duncan Ferguson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Tank Ispa!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Steve Montenegro and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ferguson looks to land a combination but Ispa avoids it well.
Ispa moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

It looks like Duncan Ferguson has been cut.
Ispa misses the shot to the body.
Ispa staying out of range there.
Ispa dives in for a single leg takedown but Ferguson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nice jab there from Ferguson.
Ferguson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ferguson just misses with a punch to the body.
A jab from Ispa misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Ferguson misses its target.
Ispa on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Ispa shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ispa is trying to control. Ferguson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ispa seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ispa is trying to control the action in half guard but Ferguson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ispa is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Ispa seems to be looking for submissions.
Ispa is controlling the pace.

Ispa is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ferguson is just riding it out for now. Ispa eventually gives up the hold.
Ispa is pressing down on Ferguson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ferguson is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Ferguson is concentrating on defense, preventing Ispa from advancing position.
Ispa tries to pass to full mount but Ferguson defends it.
Ferguson is controlling Ispa's trapped leg to prevent Ispa from advancing to side control.

Ispa 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.
Ferguson is looking to control Ispa's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ferguson avoid being mounted?

Ferguson is defending against the submission attempts here by Ispa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson trying to control but Ispa postures up.

Ispa is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ferguson is just riding it out for now. Ispa eventually gives up the hold.

Ispa is looking for a kimura but Ferguson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ispa to get the leverage.

Ferguson is defending against the submission attempts here by Ispa.

Ispa is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ferguson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ispa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Ispa keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ferguson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Ferguson is pulling down on Ispa's head to control his posture.
Ferguson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ispa wants to control from the top but Ferguson keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ferguson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ispa under the eye.
Ispa throws a hook to the side of Ferguson's head but Ferguson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ferguson moves out of range of the body kick from Ispa.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tank Ispa will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Duncan Ferguson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ispa misses with a wild body shot.
It looked like Ferguson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Ispa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ferguson.
Ferguson throws a big shot that misses.
Ispa looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ispa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ispa connects with the punch.
Ispa swings for the body but Ferguson moves out of range.
Ispa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ferguson.
Ispa tries to counter by closing the distance.
Ferguson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ispa doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Ferguson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ispa walks forward, straight into a front kick from Ferguson.
Ferguson wants to land a leg kick but Ispa is out of range.
Ispa changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ispa takes a swing at Ferguson's ribcage but misses.
Ispa throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ferguson on the side of the head.
Ferguson loads up on a big right hand but Ispa slips the punch.
Ispa takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ferguson missing with a left hand there. Ispa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ispa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ferguson manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson jabs at Ispa's body.
Ispa cracks Ferguson with an open hand slap.
Nice uppercut there from Ferguson.
We've been told by Ferguson's head coaches at Ramirez School Of Excellence that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Ispa fails to land the takedown.
Ferguson blocks a jab.
Ferguson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ferguson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Ispa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ferguson.
Ferguson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A jab from Ferguson misses.
Ispa with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ferguson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Ispa to score with a decent uppercut.
Ferguson avoids the body shot from Ispa.
Ferguson scores with a nice right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ispa looks to land a left hand but Ferguson moved out of range nicely.
Ispa misses with a few strikes there.
Ferguson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ispa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson stuffs the takedown attempt from Ispa. Ispa gets slowly back to his feet.
Ferguson throws a body punch but Ispa moves out of range.
Ispa looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ferguson takes one on the button.
Ispa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ferguson.
Ferguson connects with the punch.
Ispa connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Ispa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ferguson. Ispa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ferguson misses with an uppercut
and Ispa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Duncan Ferguson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ferguson misses with an uppercut. Ispa saw that one coming.
Ispa lands a nice shot to the body.
Ferguson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Duncan Ferguson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ispa cracks the inside of Ferguson's front leg.

Ferguson drives through and clinches with Ispa against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ferguson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A big right from Ispa misses.
Ferguson appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Ferguson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Ispa fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ferguson misses with a hook
and Ispa counters with a stiff right hand.
Ferguson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ferguson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ispa tries to counter with a clinch but Ferguson shakes him off and moves away.

Ispa takes the fight into the clinch.

Ispa jumps guard and drags Ferguson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Ispa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ispa keeping moving, preventing Ferguson from controlling successfully.
Ferguson is looking to stand up but Ispa won't let him.
Ferguson stands up over Ispa, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Ferguson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ispa is trying to control the position but Ferguson postures up.
Ispa keeping moving, preventing Ferguson from controlling successfully.

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

Ispa is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ferguson content to stall in guard here.
Ispa can't keep his opponent in guard - Ferguson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Ispa looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ispa is looking to improve his position.
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 Duncan Ferguson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Duncan Ferguson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ferguson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ispa.
It seemed like Ispa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Ispa clinches up against the cage.
Ferguson takes a shot to the head.
Ispa lands a nice uppercut.
Ferguson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ferguson blocking some punches.
Ferguson tries to throw a body punch but Ispa avoids it by throwing Ferguson back against the cage.
Ispa lands with a short shot to the head.
Ispa tries to pull guard but Ferguson holds him up against the cage and eventually Ispa drops back down to his feet.
Ispa has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ferguson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ferguson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ispa's efforts to push away.
Ferguson is trying to maintain a safe position but Ispa gets an underhook and turns Ferguson into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ispa tries a body shot but Ferguson blocks it.
Ispa drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ferguson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ispa has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Ferguson seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Ispa can turn it around.
Duncan Ferguson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tank Ispa.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ispa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ispa scores with a shoulder strike.
Nice body punch from Ispa.
Ispa working aggressively here.
Ispa struggles to land a body shot inside as Ferguson controls his hands.
Ispa lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ferguson blocking some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Ispa fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ispa.
Ispa misses with the head strike.
Ispa throws a punch but it's blocked by Ferguson.
Ispa jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ferguson walks away with a smile on his face. Ispa gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ferguson scores with a one two! Ispa had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Ferguson slips under a jab.
Ferguson just misses with a punch to the body.
Ispa takes a swing at Ferguson's ribcage but misses.
No joy there for Ferguson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A jab from Ispa misses.
Ispa catches Ferguson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ferguson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Ferguson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ispa throws a series of punches but Ferguson avoids them all with ease.
Ispa on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ispa shoots in and drives through. Ferguson sprawls well.
Ispa throws a hook but Ferguson avoids it easily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ispa or perhaps it was just good defense by Ferguson, which made it look bad.
Ispa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ispa misses with a few strikes there.
Ispa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ispa misses with a kick to the body.
It looked like Ferguson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ferguson looks to land a left hand but Ispa moved out of range nicely.
Ispa swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ispa lands a nice looking body shot.
Duncan Ferguson is winning the standup battle so far.
Ferguson just misses with a punch to the body.
Ferguson scores with a decent looking hook.

Ispa gets the takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
You can see the frustration on Ferguson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Ispa tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Ferguson sneaks back into half guard.
Ferguson is looking to control Ispa's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ferguson avoid being mounted?
Ispa wants to pass to mount but Ferguson is defending the position.

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.
Ispa trying to control from Ferguson's half guard. Ferguson has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Ispa drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ispa jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ferguson pulls Ispa in close to prevent any damage.
Tank Ispa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ferguson trying to control the position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tank Ispa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ispa 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tank Ispa!
A relieved looking Tank Ispa thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.