PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ronan Hollace (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikhail Ligachev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hollace comes to the cage accompanied by Doin' Your Mom. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hollace
vs
Ligachev

175 cm
23
150 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

172 cm
21
151 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

MADE IN GERMANY

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Ronan Hollace!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Mikhail Ligachev!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Daniel Bishop and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hollace uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ligachev.
Ligachev throws the left hand but Hollace avoids the punch easily.
Ligachev looks to score with a jab to the body but Hollace is just out of range.
Hollace blocks a jab.
Mikhail Ligachev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hollace connects with the punch.
Ligachev moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Hollace.
A punch combination from Hollace misses.
Ligachev throws out a loose jab but Hollace uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hollace throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ligachev.
Ligachev tries a head kick but it misses.
Ligachev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ligachev throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hollace counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ligachev misses with a hook.
Hollace throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ligachev counters with a right hand to the body.
Ligachev moves in looking to clinch but Hollace pushes him off.
A punch combination from Hollace misses.
Ligachev misses with a hook.
Hollace throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ligachev counters with a big head kick but Hollace shrugs it off.
Ligachev connects with a body shot.
Ligachev does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ligachev throws a hook but Hollace blocks it.
Ligachev misses with an uppercut. Hollace saw that one coming.
Ligachev misses with a hook.
Mikhail Ligachev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ligachev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ligachev throws a predictable looking body shot
and Hollace counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hollace uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ligachev.
Ligachev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ligachev scores with a nice strike.
Hollace takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ligachev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hollace rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ligachev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ligachev fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ligachev misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ligachev misses the body punch
and Hollace counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ligachev throws a wild body kick that Hollace sees coming a mile off.
Ligachev stuffs the takedown attempt from Hollace. Hollace gets slowly back to his feet.
Hollace throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ligachev sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hollace gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Ligachev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hollace.
Ligachev connects with a looping right hand.
Ligachev with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ligachev misses with a straight right.
Ligachev fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hollace misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ligachev tries to land a front kick but Hollace steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ligachev closes the distance looking to clinch

and Hollace decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ligachev's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hollace thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ligachev is controlling Hollace's posture.

Hollace drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hollace jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Hollace is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Ligachev dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ligachev connects with a high kick.
Hollace dives in and grabs Ligachev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ligachev pushes down on Hollace's head and hops out.
Hollace misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hollace throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hollace blocks a jab.
Ligachev lands with a good body shot.
Hollace gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Ligachev looks to score with a jab to the body but Hollace is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ligachev scores with a hook.
Ligachev scores with a head kick.
Ligachev misses with a body punch
and Hollace counters with a three punch combo that has Ligachev backing up. Ligachev nods at Hollace to acknowledge the strikes.
Ligachev throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Hollace with a poor takedown
and Ligachev counters with a head kick. That will keep Hollace thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ronan Hollace. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ligachev throws a head kick but Hollace moves out of range.
Hollace takes one to the side of the head.
A head kick from Ligachev lands but Hollace takes it in his stride.

It looks like Ronan Hollace has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hollace fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hollace blocks a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ligachev lands a front kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A swing and a miss from Ligachev.
Jab by Ligachev.
Ligachev misses with a hook.
A head kick misses from Ligachev.
Ligachev throws a push kick but Hollace slaps the foot to one side.
Hollace misses with a two punch combination.
Ligachev swings for the body but Hollace moves out of range.
Hollace blocks a head kick by Ligachev.
Ligachev throws a head kick but Hollace moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hollace keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ligachev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hollace.
Ligachev is looking to land body kicks.
Hollace uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ligachev.

Hollace gets a takedown into half guard.

Ligachev is defending against the submission attempts here by Hollace.
Ligachev tries to get to full guard but Hollace has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Ligachev trying to control here.

Hollace is working for a kimura but Ligachev is defending it quite comfortably.
Ligachev keeps control of the position for the meantime.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ligachev trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Ligachev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ronan Hollace's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hollace misses with a two punch combination.
Mikhail Ligachev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hollace shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ligachev as he jumps to the side.
Ligachev lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Hollace stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ligachev.
Hollace avoids the head kick by Ligachev.
Ligachev throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Ligachev connects with a high kick.

Hollace shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Hollace goes for an armbar but Ligachev turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Ligachev.

Hollace escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ligachev gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ligachev 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.

Ligachev stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Ligachev chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hollace avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hollace throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ligachev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hollace.
Hollace fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ligachev avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ligachev with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hollace swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ligachev throws a nice head kick!
Hollace moves forwards but Ligachev connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ligachev swings for the body but Hollace moves out of range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ligachev.
Ligachev throws a head kick that misses.
Hollace has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hollace there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ligachev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ligachev throws a big shot that misses.
Ligachev explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Ligachev scores with a crisp jab that stopped Hollace in his tracks.
Ligachev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hollace throws a combination that misses
and Ligachev counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Ligachev lands a glancing blow to the side of Hollace's head.
Ligachev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ligachev throws a leg kick but Hollace sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ligachev looks to score with a jab to the body but Hollace is just out of range.
Hollace shoots and misses
and Ligachev counters with a left to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ronan Hollace. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ligachev thows a body shot but no joy.
Hollace swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ligachev.
Ligachev tries to clinch there but Hollace circles away.
Ligachev throws a nice head kick!
Ligachev throws a body punch but Hollace moves out of range.
Hollace misses with a wild body shot.
Ligachev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ligachev lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Hollace moves out of range as Ligachev throws a body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Ligachev really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ronan Hollace's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hollace slips under a jab from Ligachev.
Ligachev lands a really nice looking cross but Hollace seems unphased.
Ligachev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hollace moves away.
Ligachev misses with a two punch combination.
Ligachev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hollace manages to avoid it.
Ligachev misses with a combination

and Hollace counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ligachev won't be happy with that.

Hollace working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Hollace is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Ligachev has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hollace working away.

Hollace goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Ligachev rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Hollace's guard! Nice work there by Ligachev!
Ligachev seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Hollace is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ligachev defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Ligachev stands and steps away. Hollace gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Hollace takes one to the side of the head.
Ligachev misses with a looping left.
Ligachev goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
A head kick by Ligachev misses

and Hollace counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ligachev won't be happy with that.

Hollace thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Hollace swings around for an armbar but Ligachev sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Hollace's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hollace is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ligachev defends well.

Hollace looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Ligachev passes into side control.
A lull in the action here as Ligachev stalls from top position.
Ronan Hollace overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ligachev's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Hollace tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Ligachev presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Ligachev controlling the position easily from mount.
Ligachev prevents Hollace from getting the reversal.
Hollace is working hard here to advance position.
Ligachev controlling from mount.
Hollace tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Mikhail Ligachev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ronan Hollace's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ligachev cracks a nice hook into Hollace's ribs.
Ligachev changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ligachev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A slow jab from Hollace misses its intended target.
Ligachev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hollace moves away.
Ligachev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hollace throws a nice looking combination but Ligachev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ligachev misses with a hook.
Hollace staying out of range there.
Ligachev swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Hollace or perhaps it was just good defense by Ligachev which made him look bad.
Hollace with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ligachev counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Hollace takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Hollace keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ligachev.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Ligachev.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Nice defenses there by Hollace.
Ligachev falls off balance throwing a combination
and Hollace counters with a series of strikes. Ligachev will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ligachev is looking to slow Hollace down with leg kicks.
Ligachev fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hollace takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hollace defending well as Ligachev loads up on a big left hand.
Ligachev connects with a nice looking jab.
Hollace rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ligachev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ligachev tries to land a front kick but Hollace steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ligachev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ligachev comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ligachev plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Ligachev throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hollace counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ligachev connects with a nice looking jab.
Ligachev throws a sloppy head kick and Hollace moves out of range easily.
Ligachev throws a body punch but Hollace moves out of range.
Hollace ducks under a wild hook from Ligachev.
Ligachev scores with a jab to the body.
Hollace is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Ligachev throws a lazy right hand but Hollace sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hollace slips a straight right by Ligachev.
Ligachev misses the jab.
Ligachev throws a good cross that connects.
Ligachev misses with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ligachev dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hollace. That did some damage!
Ligachev swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hollace.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hollace.

Hollace working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ligachev is trying to control Hollace's posture but Hollace avoids it.
Ronan Hollace has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Hollace tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Hollace has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

And that's the end of the fight!
Mikhail Ligachev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ligachev winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight for Mikhail Ligachev!
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight for Mikhail Ligachev!
Judge James Atkins scores the fight for Mikhail Ligachev!

Mikhail Ligachev wins by unanimous decision!
Mikhail Ligachev is the new featherweight champion!