PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nicholas Ares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Djadjo Cigan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ares
vs
Cigan

190 cm
16
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

204 cm
25
235 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Nicholas Ares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Djadjo Cigan!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Colin Fotheringham and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ares.
Cigan throws a head kick that Ares semi-blocks.

It looks like Nicholas Ares has been cut.

Cigan shoots in and bounces Ares off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Ares looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cigan is one step ahead there.
Cigan lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Ares looking for subs off his back but Cigan has passed one foot through into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Cigan lands a nice short elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cigan is keen to just control but Ares is a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cigan trying to advance position but Ares counters by regaining guard.
Cigan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ares might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Ares wants to stand up but Cigan is controlling him.
Cigan trying to control but Ares is working from the bottom.
Ares tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cigan would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Cigan stopping the sweep attempt from Ares.
Cigan must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Cigan trying to control the position from guard on top but Ares is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Djadjo Cigan hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Ares gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Cigan trying to control the position from guard on top but Ares is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ares wants to sweep but no luck.
Ares is looking to stand up but Cigan isn't so interested in that idea.
Cigan sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ares's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cigan working Ares over with strikes.
Ares tries to roll over but Cigan keeps him under control.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ares gets back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ares thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Cigan trying to control the position from guard on top but Ares is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cigan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cigan accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Cigan decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Ares, up you get!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cigan.
Ares doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Cigan counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ares's knee momentarily.
Cigan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ares pinned against the cage. Ares gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cigan scores with a head kick.
Cigan looks winded!
Cigan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ares tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cigan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ares somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nicholas Ares. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ares fails with the takedown
and Cigan counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ares thinking.
Ares misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ares fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Cigan avoids it really well and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Djadjo Cigan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nicholas Ares's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ares gets caught flat footed, as Cigan shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Cigan trying to control but Ares is working from the bottom.
Ares looking for a sweep. Not yet Ares, not yet.
Ares wants to stand up but Cigan is controlling him.
Cigan is looking to stand up but Ares won't let him.
Ares is trying to keep Cigan in close.
Djadjo Cigan has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nicholas Ares has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Cigan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ares wants to clinch.

Cigan feints and as Ares raises his hands in defense, Cigan changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Cigan wants to control from the top but Ares keeps moving.
Ares wants to control the position but Cigan says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Ares is looking for a sweep. Cigan is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Cigan is taking a breather. Ares says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Cigan tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ares knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Cigan. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cigan controlling the action here.
Ares is looking to escape.
Ares tries to roll over but Cigan keeps him under control.

Djadjo Cigan has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Ares on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Cigan closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Ares's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ares striking off his back but it's not causing Cigan any problems.
Ares looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cigan is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ares is working hard here to advance position.
Ares is looking to stand up but Cigan isn't so interested in that idea.
Cigan trying to control the position from guard on top but Ares is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Cigan stands up and waves to Ares to follow him.
Ares fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ares shoots and misses

and Cigan counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Cigan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ares closes the distance but Cigan moves to the side
and Cigan counters with a big head kick but Ares shrugs it off.

Cigan instigates a clinch.
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!
Cigan has Ares pressed against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Cigan manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Djadjo Cigan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Nicholas Ares's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ares doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Cigan counters with a series of strikes. Ares will be more careful next time no doubt.

Cigan 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.
Cigan trying to control but Ares is working from the bottom.
Ares wants to stand but Cigan is controlling the position.
Ares can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Cigan controls the pace.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Ares is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Nicholas Ares just wasn't active enough.
Ares tries for a takedown but Cigan sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A punch combination from Ares misses.

Cigan closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ares quickly recovers to half guard.
Cigan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ares keeps working.
Ares moves into full guard.
Cigan looking to pass the guard.
Ares working a defensive guard but Cigan passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Cigan is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Ares is trying to get back to full guard.
Ares is staying active underneath Cigan, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ares won't allow Cigan to pass to mount.
Ares is looking to escape.
Ares trying to control but Cigan postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Djadjo Cigan was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Ares closes the distance but Cigan moves to the side

and Cigan moves into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A short left from Cigan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cigan jumps into guard, dragging Ares to the mat.
Cigan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cigan looking to control.

Cigan looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ares tries to stand but Cigan is controlling from the bottom.

Cigan had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ares defends it easily.
Cigan keeping full guard, as Ares tries to pass.
Cigan has control of Ares's left arm, preventing Ares from doing any damage.
Nicholas Ares has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ares is looking to stand up but Cigan won't let him.
Cigan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cigan keeping moving, preventing Ares from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ares leaves Cigan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ares tries to clinch up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Djadjo Cigan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cigan 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Djadjo Cigan!