PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paavali Kontiainen (ranked 1098 p4p, 1435 weight class) and Yevgeny Ignatov (ranked 151 p4p, 197 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?

Kontiainen
vs
Ignatov

192 cm
23
216
5 - 2 - 0

189 cm
23
208
7 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class 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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paavali Kontiainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yevgeny Ignatov!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Phil Schofield and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ignatov scores with the left hand. Kontiainen knows he should have avoided that one.
Ignatov blocks the body kick.
Ignatov cracks Kontiainen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kontiainen pushes Ignatov away with a front kick.
Kontiainen scores with a decent looking hook.
Kontiainen checks a leg kick.
A head kick by Kontiainen misses
and Ignatov counters with a nice body shot.
Ignatov misses with a wild body shot.
A big left from Kontiainen misses.
Ignatov has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Ignatov cracks Kontiainen with an open hand slap.
Kontiainen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Kontiainen. Ignatov shrugs it off though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ignatov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ignatov moves out of range as Kontiainen throws a body kick.
Ignatov takes a swing at Kontiainen's ribcage but misses.
Kontiainen throwing a counter right hand but Ignatov manages to avoid it.
A slow jab from Kontiainen misses its intended target.
Kontiainen walks into a jab.
Kontiainen closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kontiainen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kontiainen throws a lazy right hand but Ignatov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ignatov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A leg kick checked by Kontiainen.
Ignatov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kontiainen moves away.
Ignatov moves away from the strike by Kontiainen.
Kontiainen misses with an uppercut. Ignatov saw that one coming.
Ignatov throws a shot from downtown. Kontiainen moves away and avoids it.
Kontiainen throws a quick counter kick to the body but Ignatov avoids it.
Kontiainen throws a chopping leg kick but Ignatov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kontiainen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kontiainen.
Ignatov ducks under a wild hook from Kontiainen.
Ignatov flicks out a counter leg kick but Kontiainen steps away.
Ignatov misses with a straight right.
Ignatov checks a low kick from Kontiainen.
Kontiainen throws a jab when Ignatov was well out of range.
Ignatov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kontiainen avoids the body shot from Ignatov.
Kontiainen moves out of range as Ignatov strikes.
Kontiainen misses with a hook. Ignatov ducked under it nicely.
Kontiainen throws a head kick that misses
and Kontiainen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kontiainen stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Ignatov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kontiainen doesn't seem bothered though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kontiainen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ignatov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kontiainen drops his hands momentarily and Ignatov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kontiainen takes a swing at Ignatov's ribcage but misses.
Kontiainen has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Helsinki Private Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Ignatov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kontiainen throws out the jab.
Ignatov moves away from the strike by Kontiainen.
Ignatov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kontiainen can pounce on him.
Kontiainen lands a head shot.
Kontiainen throws a hook but Ignatov avoids it easily.
Ignatov throws the left hand but Kontiainen avoids the punch easily.
Nice body punch from Ignatov.
Ignatov checks a low kick from Kontiainen.
Ignatov is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Kontiainen had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Ignatov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kontiainen delivers a nice body kick.
Nice defenses there by Ignatov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Ignatov misses its intended target.
Ignatov blocks a head kick by Kontiainen.
Kontiainen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ignatov.
Ignatov tries a quick counter leg kick but Kontiainen is wise to it.
Ignatov misses with a straight right.
Kontiainen swings away with a body shot that misses
and Ignatov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ignatov tests Kontiainen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ignatov throws an overhand right that lands on Kontiainen's shoulder, as Kontiainen tries to avoid the shot.
Kontiainen appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Ignatov staying out of range there.
Kontiainen connects with a solid leg kick.
Paavali Kontiainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ignatov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kontiainen manages to avoid it.
Kontiainen scores with a shot to the body.
Kontiainen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kontiainen goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ignatov.
Kontiainen sizes up Ignatov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kontiainen on the wrong end of a nice jab.
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!
Kontiainen throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ignatov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kontiainen throws a lazy head kick
and Ignatov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ignatov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kontiainen was well out of range. Poor timing from Ignatov.
Ignatov misses with a looping right.
Kontiainen throws a head kick that misses.
Kontiainen throws a low kick, looking for Ignatov's leg but Ignatov calmly moves out of range.
Kontiainen scores with a hook.
Kontiainen throws a lazy right hand but Ignatov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kontiainen defending well as Ignatov loads up on a big left hand.
A jab from Kontiainen misses.
Kontiainen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ignatov throws out the jab.
Kontiainen misses with a hook to the body
and Ignatov counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kontiainen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A little jabbing left from Ignatov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ignatov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ignatov moves out of range of the body kick from Kontiainen.
Ignatov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kontiainen defending well as Ignatov loads up on a big left hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Yevgeny Ignatov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ignatov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kontiainen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ignatov lands a really nice looking cross but Kontiainen seems unphased.
Kontiainen throws the kick towards the body but Ignatov avoids it.
Ignatov misses with a hook.
A jab from Kontiainen finds it's way through Ignatov's defenses.
Ignatov misses with a hook. Kontiainen ducked under it nicely.
A left lands for Kontiainen.
Kontiainen moves out of range of the body kick.
Kontiainen throws a quick counter kick to the body but Ignatov avoids it.
Ignatov misses with a low kick.
Ignatov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kontiainen was well out of range. Poor timing from Ignatov.
Kontiainen tries a head kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ignatov lands with a nice body punch.
Kontiainen connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ignatov throws a lazy right hand but Kontiainen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kontiainen lands with a good body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ignatov tests Kontiainen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kontiainen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Kontiainen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ignatov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kontiainen walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ignatov throws a looping overhand right but Kontiainen ducks down to avoid it.
Kontiainen lands a nice shot that snaps Ignatov's head back.
Ignatov throws a looping overhand right but Kontiainen ducks down to avoid it.
Ignatov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kontiainen misses with a shot to the body
and Ignatov counters with an inside leg kick.
Kontiainen moves out of range as Ignatov strikes.
Kontiainen looks to throw a body kick
and Ignatov counters with a stiff right hand.
Ignatov swings for the body but Kontiainen moves out of range.
Ignatov moves out of range of the body kick from Kontiainen.
Kontiainen lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Ignatov loads up on a big right hand but Kontiainen slips the punch.
Kontiainen ducks under a wild hook from Ignatov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ignatov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ignatov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kontiainen walks into a jab.
A low kick lands for Ignatov.
Kontiainen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kontiainen misses with a low kick.
Ignatov is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Kontiainen with a body shot.
Kontiainen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ignatov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kontiainen tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kontiainen throws a sloppy head kick and Ignatov moves out of range easily.
Paavali Kontiainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kontiainen ducks under a wild hook from Ignatov.
Kontiainen throws a leg kick but Ignatov moved away.
Ignatov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ignatov's corner calls for a 1-2. Ignatov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Ignatov scores with a hook to the body. Kontiainen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kontiainen swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kontiainen scores with a head kick.
Ignatov missing with a left hand there. Kontiainen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ignatov misses with a wild body shot.
Kontiainen quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Ignatov avoids the head kick by Kontiainen.
Ignatov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ignatov looks to score with a jab to the body but Kontiainen is just out of range.
Kontiainen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Ignatov misses with a right hand
and Kontiainen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kontiainen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ignatov.
Yevgeny Ignatov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kontiainen lands a nice looking body shot.
Kontiainen dips to his left and cracks Ignatov with an uppercut!
Ignatov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ignatov misses with a hook. Kontiainen ducked under it nicely.
Ignatov throws a hook to the side of Kontiainen's head but Kontiainen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ignatov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ignatov throws a body shot but no joy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ignatov blocks the body kick.
Ignatov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ignatov misses with a leg kick
and Kontiainen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov lands a slapping body shot.
Kontiainen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ignatov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ignatov lands a head shot.
Kontiainen motions for Ignatov to come forward. Kontiainen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ignatov lands with a right hand.
Kontiainen throws a right hand that misses
and Ignatov counters with a slapping leg kick.
Kontiainen misses with a head kick.
Kontiainen throws a hook but Ignatov avoids it easily.
Kontiainen misses with a low kick.
Kontiainen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ignatov throws a shot from downtown. Kontiainen moves away and avoids it.
Ignatov throws an overhand right that lands on Kontiainen's shoulder, as Kontiainen tries to avoid the shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kontiainen throws a head kick but Ignatov moves out of range.
Ignatov takes a swing at Kontiainen's ribcage but misses.
Kontiainen connects with a body shot.
Kontiainen takes a swing at Ignatov's ribcage but misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ignatov! But no joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Yevgeny Ignatov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Ignatov slips under a jab from Kontiainen.
Ignatov jabs at Kontiainen's body.
Ignatov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nice body punch from Ignatov.
Ignatov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kontiainen throws a leg kick
and Ignatov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kontiainen ducks under a wild hook from Ignatov.
Ignatov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kontiainen.
Kontiainen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kontiainen throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Kontiainen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ignatov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kontiainen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ignatov.
Ignatov appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Ignatov steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Kontiainen. That one must have hurt.
Kontiainen throws out a loose jab but Ignatov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ignatov only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Ignatov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kontiainen misses with a body shot.
Kontiainen checks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignatov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kontiainen motions for Ignatov to come forward. Kontiainen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ignatov throws a leg kick which misses Kontiainen's front leg but catches the back leg as Kontiainen tries to avoid it.
A shot to the body from Kontiainen misses
and Ignatov counters with a straight right hand.
Kontiainen throws a head kick that misses.
Ignatov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kontiainen misses the jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kontiainen. Ignatov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kontiainen is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kontiainen looks to land a body kick but Ignatov moved away.
Ignatov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kontiainen. That did some damage!
Ignatov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kontiainen has time to react.
Kontiainen drops his hands momentarily and Ignatov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ignatov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kontiainen throws a right hand that misses
and Ignatov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
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!
Kontiainen throws a leg kick but Ignatov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ignatov was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Kontiainen on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kontiainen misses with a head kick.
Ignatov thumps Kontiainen with a low kick.
Ignatov connects with a leg kick.
Kontiainen throws a sloppy head kick and Ignatov moves out of range easily.
A leg kick checked by Ignatov.
Ignatov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ignatov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kontiainen's corner calls for a 1-2. Kontiainen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kontiainen throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kontiainen throws out a leg kick but Ignatov moves out of range and Kontiainen only half commits.
Ignatov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ignatov throws a shot from downtown. Kontiainen moves away and avoids it.
Kontiainen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kontiainen ducks right into an uppercut from Ignatov.
Ignatov slips a jab from Kontiainen.
Kontiainen misses with a jab to the body
and Kontiainen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Kontiainen.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ignatov.
Kontiainen moves forwards but Ignatov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ignatov lands a nice hook to Kontiainen's body. Kontiainen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ignatov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kontiainen tried to score with a low kick but Ignatov checks it.
Kontiainen staying out of range there.
Kontiainen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Ignatov to score with a decent uppercut.
Yevgeny Ignatov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kontiainen closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Ignatov sizes up Kontiainen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kontiainen stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Ignatov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kontiainen throws a jab when Ignatov was well out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ignatov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kontiainen throws a lazy uppercut
and Ignatov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ignatov throws an overhand right that lands on Kontiainen's shoulder, as Kontiainen tries to avoid the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kontiainen takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ignatov scores with a jab.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Kontiainen might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Kontiainen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ignatov scores with a sloppy right hand. Kontiainen should have avoided that one.
Kontiainen avoids the body shot from Ignatov.
A swing and a miss from Kontiainen.
Ignatov defending well as Kontiainen loads up on a big left hand.
Ignatov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A big right from Kontiainen misses.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ignatov.
Ignatov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Ignatov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ignatov digs a good hook to Kontiainen's body.
Ignatov misses with a hook.
Ignatov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kontiainen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kontiainen throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Ignatov counters with a right hand to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yevgeny Ignatov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yevgeny Ignatov!
Yevgeny Ignatov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.