PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Daniyar Nurbolatov (ranked 6216 p4p, 4402 weight class) and Sauv Ignon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Nurbolatov
vs
Ignon

179 cm
19
179
2 - 1 - 0

183 cm
18
175
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Daniyar Nurbolatov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sauv Ignon!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ignon tries to close the distance and clinch but Nurbolatov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Nurbolatov enables Ignon to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Nurbolatov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Nurbolatov has an active guard here but Ignon has managed to pass into half guard.
Ignon is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Nurbolatov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ignon pulls his head out easily.
My spies in Cope's inform me that Ignon has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurbolatov wants to control but Ignon is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are battling for position here. Nurbolatov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignon is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Nurbolatov working for a triangle but Ignon defends it easily.
Nurbolatov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ignon slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Ignon wants to pass the guard but Nurbolatov is keeping the position.

Nurbolatov has his foot on Ignon's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ignon works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Ignon avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nurbolatov seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Ignon slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Nurbolatov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Ignon drops back looking for a leg! Nurbolatov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Nurbolatov manages to kick Ignon off! Ignon jumps back into Nurbolatov's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ignon sitting in guard here, content to control.
Nurbolatov is trying to control the position but Ignon postures up.

Ignon avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Nurbolatov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ignon slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Ignon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nurbolatov is keeping the position for now.
Ignon looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Nurbolatov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ignon wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Daniyar Nurbolatov will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nurbolatov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Ignon wants to improve his position but Nurbolatov is controlling well.

Nurbolatov is looking for submissions but instead, Ignon has regained full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ignon can do anything to dispel that myth.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ignon looking for a sweep. Not yet Ignon, not yet.
Nurbolatov trying to control the position from guard on top but Ignon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignon looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nurbolatov is one step ahead there.
Nurbolatov being controlled here momentarily.
Ignon looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nurbolatov is one step ahead there.
Ignon is controlling Nurbolatov's posture.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Nurbolatov wants to control from the top but Ignon keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Nurbolatov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Ignon gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Ignon throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ignon is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ignon keeping moving, preventing Nurbolatov from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignon wants to sweep but no luck.
Ignon pulls Nurbolatov in close to prevent any damage.
Ignon is continuing to stall.
Nurbolatov wants to control from the top but Ignon keeps moving.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Ignon controlling Nurbolatov's posture.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Ignon enables Nurbolatov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Ignon manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ignon trying to control the position here.

Nurbolatov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Nurbolatov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ignon has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Ignon looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nurbolatov is one step ahead there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Ignon holds on and takes a little breather.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Daniyar Nurbolatov dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Nurbolatov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Ignon!
Ignon is looking for a sweep.
Ignon is not content to let Nurbolatov control the position.

Nurbolatov tries for a kimura but Ignon is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nurbolatov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Ignon sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nurbolatov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Daniyar Nurbolatov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nurbolatov is looking to advance position but Ignon won't allow it.
Ignon keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Ignon tries to get to full guard but Nurbolatov has control of the leg.

Nurbolatov seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Ignon has recovered full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Nurbolatov wants to control from the top but Ignon keeps moving.
Ignon bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nurbolatov's guard.

Ignon is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nurbolatov working for a triangle but Ignon defends it easily.
Ignon not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurbolatov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Ignon controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Sauv Ignon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Nurbolatov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ignon gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ignon controlling from the top position.
Ignon working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nurbolatov's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Ignon got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nurbolatov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ignon has managed to get both his arms back between Nurbolatov's legs - danger averted.
Ignon looking to pass the guard.
Ignon controls from within his opponent's guard.
Daniyar Nurbolatov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Ignon looking to improve position, pressing down on Nurbolatov's thigh with his hand. Nurbolatov seems to be working to lock up a guilotine though... is Ignon paying attention? Apparently not! He's locked it up tight! Ignon's face has turned purple! Will he tap? Will he! YES! He's tapped! Nurbolatov picked his opening and made it count! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:50 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Daniyar Nurbolatov!
In his post fight interview, Daniyar Nurbolatov started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.