PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Birigiz Ignatiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinji Tanaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tanaka has chosen Yuudachi as his entrance music. Shinji Tanaka acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Ignatiev
vs
Tanaka

160 cm
31
145 lbs
21 - 9 - 1

160 cm
29
139 lbs
12 - 9 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Birigiz Ignatiev!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Shinji Tanaka!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Ren Mimura and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ignatiev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tanaka darts in looking for a takedown but Ignatiev gets double underhooks and turns Tanaka into the cage.
Ignatiev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tanaka is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Ignatiev to keep the fight standing.

Ignatiev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ignatiev throws a lazy head kick

and Tanaka counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Ignatiev working Tanaka over with knees to the body.
Ignatiev tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Ignatiev manages to break the clinch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Tanaka has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Ignatiev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ignatiev misses with a straight right.
Ignatiev lands a glancing blow to the side of Tanaka's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tanaka swings for the body but Ignatiev moves out of range.
Tanaka misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Birigiz Ignatiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shinji Tanaka.
Tanaka checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka checks a leg kick.
Ignatiev throws a head kick but Tanaka moves out of range.
Ignatiev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from Ignatiev.
Birigiz Ignatiev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Tanaka shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Tanaka showed some decent athleticism there.
Ignatiev avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tanaka.
Tanaka has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Tanaka seems to be working for a kimura but Ignatiev defends the submission attempt.
Tanaka trying to control from Ignatiev's half guard. Ignatiev has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ignatiev definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Ignatiev wants to get back to his feet but Tanaka is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tanaka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ignatiev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tanaka slips nicely into half guard.
Tanaka thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ignatiev's head.
Tanaka is pressing down on Ignatiev's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ignatiev is holding on for now.
Tanaka seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ignatiev does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka tries to pass to full mount but Ignatiev defends it.
Ignatiev is not content to let Tanaka control the position.
Tanaka passes to full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tanaka content just to control the position here.

Tanaka jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Ignatiev is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Ignatiev and Tanaka has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev tries to buck Tanaka off but Tanaka is having none of it.
Tanaka trying to control the position but Ignatiev is working away.
Ignatiev sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Tanaka is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Ignatiev reverses the position - he's now on top in Tanaka's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tanaka manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tanaka trying to control but Ignatiev is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Shinji Tanaka will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tanaka throws a hook to the side of Ignatiev's head but Ignatiev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ignatiev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ignatiev scoring well with a low kick there.
Tanaka blocks a head kick by Ignatiev.
Ignatiev throws a head kick that misses
and Tanaka counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ignatiev lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Tanaka displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ignatiev throws out the jab.
Ignatiev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ignatiev misses with a kick to the body.
No luck for Tanaka with that takedown attempt.
Tanaka moves out of range of the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ignatiev as he jumps to the side.
Ignatiev throws a head kick but Tanaka moves out of range.
Ignatiev throws a head kick but Tanaka moves out of range.
Tanaka misses with a body shot.
Ignatiev throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Ignatiev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Tanaka gets a takedown into half guard.
Tanaka wants to take a breather but Ignatiev is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka tries to pass to full mount but Ignatiev defends it.
Ignatiev is not content to let Tanaka control the position.

Tanaka is working for a submission of some sort.

Tanaka is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ignatiev is just riding it out for now. Tanaka eventually gives up the hold.
Tanaka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ignatiev keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tanaka wants to pass to mount but Ignatiev is defending the position.
Tanaka trying to advance position but Ignatiev counters by regaining guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ignatiev scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Tanaka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ignatiev was well out of range. Poor timing from Tanaka.
Ignatiev throws a lazy right hand but Tanaka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tanaka looks for a takedown but Ignatiev sprawls well.
Birigiz Ignatiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shinji Tanaka.
Tanaka blocks a head kick by Ignatiev.
A head kick by Ignatiev misses

and Tanaka counters with a shoot takedown. Ignatiev fights it but they end up in guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tanaka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ignatiev is keeping the position for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tanaka wants to control from the top but Ignatiev keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Shinji Tanaka will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Tanaka stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ignatiev.
Tanaka swings for the body but Ignatiev moves out of range.
Ignatiev misses with a two punch combination.
Tanaka tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ignatiev throws a head kick that misses.
Tanaka blocks a head kick by Ignatiev.
Ignatiev connects with a high kick.
Ignatiev throws a body kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Ignatiev.
Tanaka swings for the body but Ignatiev moves out of range.
Ignatiev throws a head kick but Tanaka moves out of range.
Ignatiev throws a lazy head kick
and Tanaka counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ignatiev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tanaka shoots in but Ignatiev avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ignatiev connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tanaka's hands.
Ignatiev throws a sloppy head kick and Tanaka moves out of range easily.
Ignatiev throws a sloppy head kick and Tanaka moves out of range easily.

Tanaka shoots in and gets a takedown into Ignatiev's guard.
Tanaka passes Ignatiev's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Tanaka missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Tanaka sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ignatiev defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka is stalling here. Ignatiev is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Tanaka seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Ignatiev has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Tanaka is looking for a sweep.
Tanaka looking for a sweep but Ignatiev has passed into full mount! Oh no!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tanaka is working to get back to half guard.
Tanaka slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Ignatiev wants to stand up but Tanaka has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Tanaka moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Tanaka looking for a sweep. Not yet Tanaka, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Ignatiev would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Tanaka can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Ignatiev controls the pace.
Ignatiev stopping the sweep attempt from Tanaka.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Ignatiev has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Tanaka is proving hard to escape from.
Ignatiev postures up.
Ignatiev tries to stand but Tanaka is controlling from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Birigiz Ignatiev.
Tanaka looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ignatiev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ignatiev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tanaka.
Birigiz Ignatiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shinji Tanaka.
Tanaka avoids a punch combination nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ignatiev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Birigiz Ignatiev did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tanaka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ignatiev moves away.
Ignatiev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tanaka looks to score with a jab to the body but Ignatiev is just out of range.
Ignatiev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tanaka.
Tanaka misses with a straight left.
A head kick by Ignatiev misses
and Tanaka makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ignatiev lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Tanaka dives in for a single leg takedown but Ignatiev sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Tanaka fails to land.
Tanaka is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Tanaka can't find room to land a body shot as Ignatiev controls the action.
Tanaka has Ignatiev pressed against the cage, preventing Ignatiev from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ignatiev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ignatiev.
Tanaka missing with a left hand there. Ignatiev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tanaka is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ignatiev rather than just go for the knockout.
Ignatiev throws a head kick that misses.

Ignatiev gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Tanaka to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Tanaka advances position into side control!
Tanaka prevents Ignatiev from escaping the position.
Tanaka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ignatiev keeps working.
Shinji Tanaka has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tanaka swings around for an armbar but Ignatiev sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Tanaka's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ignatiev wants to get up but he can't break Tanaka's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Tanaka looking to control.
Tanaka is trying to hold Ignatiev in close to prevent damage but Ignatiev has managed to pass into half guard.
Ignatiev tries to stand and escape but Tanaka is controlling the position.
Tanaka is looking to improve his position.
Ignatiev with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev trying to pass the guard but Tanaka defending well.
Tanaka wants to control but Ignatiev passes into side.
A lull in the action here.
Ignatiev wants to control but Tanaka is keeping him busy.
Ignatiev working away.
Tanaka holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ignatiev has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Ignatiev goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Tanaka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ignatiev.
Ignatiev goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ignatiev tries a head kick but it misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ignatiev misses with a head kick.
Ignatiev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tanaka blocks a head kick by Ignatiev.
Tanaka will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ignatiev throws a sloppy head kick and Tanaka moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Birigiz Ignatiev had his way with Shinji Tanaka in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Tanaka fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ignatiev avoids it really well and circles away.
Ignatiev leaves Tanaka with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Tanaka takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Ignatiev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick misses from Ignatiev.
Tanaka uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ignatiev.
A punch lands to the side of Ignatiev 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Tanaka closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ignatiev circles away.
Birigiz Ignatiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shinji Tanaka.
Tanaka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ignatiev manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ignatiev throws a head kick that misses
and Tanaka counters with a head kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tanaka. Ignatiev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tanaka shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ignatiev defends it nicely.
Ignatiev tries a head kick but it misses.
Birigiz Ignatiev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tanaka lands with a nice body punch.
Ignatiev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ignatiev lands with a kick to the temple. Tanaka shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Ignatiev throws a head kick but Tanaka moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tanaka feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Tanaka pushes down on Ignatiev's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Tanaka wants to pass to mount but Ignatiev is defending the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tanaka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ignatiev keeps working.
Ignatiev is in trouble now - Tanaka has advanced to mount!
Tanaka sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev is squirming around, avoiding Tanaka's attempts to control the action.
Ignatiev blocking the ground and pound.
Tanaka tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Tanaka wants to take Ignatiev's back here but Ignatiev is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

Tanaka goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Ignatiev turns into him and now he's in Tanaka's guard.
Tanaka is trying to control the position but Ignatiev postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tanaka throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ignatiev stays in close to Tanaka's body and controls the position.
Tanaka wants to sweep here but Ignatiev controlling him for the moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tanaka working a defensive guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shinji Tanaka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tanaka 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 47:48
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 47:48
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 48:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Shinji Tanaka!
Shinji Tanaka is the new bantamweight champion!
Shinji Tanaka was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
95%

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