PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Buck Bolkvadze (ranked 1735 p4p, 2173 weight class) and Sauv Ignon (ranked 240 p4p, 307 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bolkvadze
vs
Ignon

179 cm
24
170
9 - 9 - 0

183 cm
24
175
4 - 7 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Buck Bolkvadze!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sauv Ignon!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Glass and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bolkvadze connects with a good right hand that stumbles Ignon. Ignon circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Bolkvadze tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ignon swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bolkvadze with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Ignon to score with a decent uppercut.
Ignon thuds a left hand into Bolkvadze's body.
Bolkvadze throws a nice looking combination but Ignon bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bolkvadze will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Ignon dives in and scores a takedown into Bolkvadze's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ignon is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Bolkvadze is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Bolkvadze has escaped and now he's on top!

Ignon has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bolkvadze can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Ignon looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Bolkvadze passes into side control.
Bolkvadze is looking to take a break and control but Ignon is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignon gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Ignon actively working from the bottom here.
Bolkvadze is controlling the pace.
Ignon is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Bolkvadze jumps into side control!
Ignon tries to improve position but can't.

That's two 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.
Ignon keeps trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bolkvadze gets to mount! Ignon was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Ignon looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
I really don't envy Ignon right now.

Bolkvadze is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ignon tries to escape but Bolkvadze has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Ignon turns into Bolkvadze and is now in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignon trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
My spies in Xtreme Fighting Gym inform me that Ignon has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

Bolkvadze looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Ignon postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Bolkvadze is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Ignon, into his guard.

Ignon is looking for a triangle but Bolkvadze pushes his legs off easily.

Ignon had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bolkvadze defends it easily.

Ignon working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bolkvadze doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bolkvadze manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ignon has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bolkvadze can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Ignon has an active guard here but Bolkvadze has managed to pass into half guard.

Ignon has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Bolkvadze escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Bolkvadze!
Bolkvadze controlling the position.
Ignon tries to buck Bolkvadze off but Bolkvadze is having none of it.
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 Buck Bolkvadze will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

No luck for Ignon with that takedown attempt.
Ignon scores with a body shot.
Donk. Bolkvadze catches Ignon right on the button with a cross.

It looks like Sauv Ignon has been cut.
Bolkvadze walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Bolkvadze loads up on a big right hand but Ignon slips the punch.
Ignon jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Ignon throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Bolkvadze was covering up waiting for the punch and Ignon finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ignon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bolkvadze is keeping the position for now.
Bolkvadze controls Ignon momentarily but Ignon frees himself.
Ignon slips nicely into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ignon seems to be working for a kimura but Bolkvadze defends the submission attempt.

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

Ignon is working for a submission of some sort.
Bolkvadze wants to control but Ignon is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Bolkvadze moves into full guard.
Sauv Ignon has got the better of the ground game so far.

Ignon drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Bolkvadze manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Ignon has Bolkvadze in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ignon escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bolkvadze gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ignon being controlled here, momentarily.
Bolkvadze tries to free his leg and advance position but Ignon is retaining full guard.

Ignon looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Bolkvadze passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ignon is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bolkvadze pulls his head out easily.
Ignon is looking to get back to full guard here but Bolkvadze has managed to pass to side control instead.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

Bolkvadze stands up and beckons Ignon to his feet.
Ignon throws a hook but Bolkvadze avoids it easily.
A big left from Bolkvadze misses.
Bolkvadze throws a quick inside leg kick.
Bolkvadze looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Bolkvadze with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Bolkvadze throws a body shot but no joy.
Bolkvadze throws a body shot but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Bolkvadze.
Bolkvadze thows a left - swing and a miss!
Bolkvadze avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bolkvadze works Ignon's body with a nice hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Bolkvadze misses the target.
Ignon drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Bolkvadze defends it well.
Ignon misses the body punch
and Bolkvadze makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ignon smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ignon looks for a takedown but Bolkvadze sprawls well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bolkvadze cracks Ignon with a good jab.
Ignon throws a shot from downtown. Bolkvadze moves away and avoids it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Buck Bolkvadze dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Sauv Ignon's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ignon lands a body shot.
Bolkvadze's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ignon under the eye.
Bolkvadze throws a push kick but Ignon slaps the foot to one side.
Bolkvadze thumps Ignon with a low kick.
Ignon misses the shot to the body.
A bone on bone clash there as Ignon blocks the leg kick.
Ignon connects with a right hand. Bolkvadze shakes it off.
Whack! Bolkvadze lands a heavy head kick that drops Ignon. The ref tackles Bolkvadze to stop the fight - a great save by the referee because Ignon was done.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:35 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Head Kick). Buck Bolkvadze!
After winning the bout, Buck Bolkvadze thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.