PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yevgeny Ignatov (ranked 750 p4p, 1049 weight class) and Eric Distefano (ranked 115 p4p, 155 weight class). Yevgeny Ignatov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ignatov
vs
Distefano

189 cm
27
194
12 - 7 - 0

183 cm
27
188
12 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Carnage
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yevgeny Ignatov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Eric Distefano!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Daniel Blasius and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Distefano misses with a body kick.
A slow jab from Ignatov misses its intended target.
A big left from Ignatov misses.
Ignatov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ignatov scores with a leg kick.
Distefano misses with a looping right.
Ignatov tests Distefano's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ignatov is looking to score with low kicks.
It seemed like Distefano was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A cross from Ignatov lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ignatov scores with a kick to the midsection.
Ignatov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Distefano jabs Ignatov right on the nose. Ignatov blinks but takes it well.
Ignatov scores with a sloppy right hand. Distefano should have avoided that one.
Ignatov seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Distefano takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Ignatov moves into the clinch.
Ignatov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Distefano blocks an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Distefano.
Distefano misses with the head strike.
Distefano has a couple of punches blocked by Ignatov.
Ignatov misses with the head strike.
Distefano blocking some punches.
Distefano has a couple of punches blocked by Ignatov.
Ignatov lands with a right to the head.
Ignatov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Distefano's elbow.
Distefano misses with some punches.
Ignatov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ignatov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Distefano backwards.
A short right from Distefano.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ignatov misses with a punch on the inside.
Distefano misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Distefano misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ignatov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov tries to pull guard but Distefano holds him up against the cage and eventually Ignatov drops back down to his feet.
Ignatov tries to pull guard but Distefano holds him up against the cage and eventually Ignatov drops back down to his feet.
Ignatov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Distefano lands with a light punch inside.
Distefano tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ignatov's elbow.
Distefano blocks an uppercut.
Distefano blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Distefano throws a punch but it's blocked by Ignatov.
Ignatov fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yevgeny Ignatov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Distefano lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ignatov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ignatov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ignatov.
Ignatov misses with some punches.
Ignatov misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Ignatov fails to land.
Distefano lands an uppercut.
Ignatov misses with a body punch.
A short right from Distefano on the inside.
Distefano pushes Ignatov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Distefano scores with a shot to the side of Ignatov's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov throws a head punch that misses.
Distefano swings wildly with an uppercut but Ignatov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ignatov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Distefano creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Ignatov jumps into guard, dragging Distefano to the mat.
Ignatov is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Ignatov looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Distefano passes into side control.
Ignatov is pushing Distefano's head away, looking to escape. Distefano manages to hold on to the position though.
Ignatov gets back to half guard.
Ignatov is trying to stand up here but Distefano is controlling him well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov trying to hold on to Distefano's head to control him but Distefano postures up.
Distefano controlling the action here.
Ignatov wants to get back to full guard.
Ignatov trying to control from the bottom.
Distefano slows the pace down in half guard.
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 Yevgeny Ignatov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Ignatov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Distefano moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Distefano.
Ignatov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ignatov thuds his right hand into Distefano's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Distefano takes one to the side of the head.
Ignatov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ignatov misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Distefano misses with a hook. Ignatov ducked under it nicely.
Ignatov half committed to a counter leg kick.
Ignatov throws a lazy uppercut
and Ignatov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Distefano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ignatov.

Ignatov rushes Distefano and presses him up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Distefano lands a right hand.
Distefano blocking some punches.
Distefano misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ignatov lands a right hand.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Distefano.

Ignatov manages to pull guard.

Ignatov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ignatov wants to sweep here but Distefano controlling him for the moment.

Ignatov working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Distefano has passed into half guard!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Distefano stalling.
Ignatov is looking to control Distefano's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ignatov avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ignatov looking for submissions off his back.
Distefano is taking a breather. Ignatov 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.
Ignatov wants to control but Distefano is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ignatov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Distefano must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ignatov has Distefano pulled in close to control his posture.

Ignatov is looking for a triangle but Distefano pushes his legs off easily.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

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.
Ignatov trying to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A telegraphed right hand from Ignatov misses the target.
Distefano takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ignatov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A swing and a miss from Distefano.
Ignatov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ignatov swinging wildly here.
Distefano counters with a body kick.
Ignatov misses with a leg kick
and Distefano cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yevgeny Ignatov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Ignatov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Distefano manages to avoid it.
Ignatov loads up on a big right hand but Distefano slips the punch.
Distefano counters with a body kick.
Ignatov throws a leg kick
and Distefano counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ignatov catches Distefano with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ignatov connects with a leg kick.

Ignatov takes the fight into the clinch.
Ignatov lands a body shot.
A short right from Ignatov on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ignatov blocks a body shot from Distefano.
Ignatov working aggressively here.
Ignatov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Distefano digs a right hand underneath Ignatov's ribcage. Ignatov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Distefano lands with a right to the head.
Distefano working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Ignatov swings wildly with an uppercut but Distefano uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ignatov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Distefano fails to land.
Ignatov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ignatov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Distefano just stands there and leans against the cage.
Distefano's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Ignatov gets control of Distefano's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ignatov will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Ignatov is trying to control the position but Distefano postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ignatov looking for a guillotine here but Distefano defends easily.
Distefano postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A jab from Ignatov misses.
As Ignatov backs off Distefano throws a huge counter combo but Ignatov manages to avoid it all.
Ignatov has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Ignatov scores with a leg kick.

Ignatov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ignatov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ignatov.
Ignatov misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Distefano blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ignatov.
Ignatov is looking to break free of the clinch but Distefano has double underhooks.
Ignatov struggles to land a body shot inside as Distefano controls his hands.
Distefano tries to work over Ignatov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right from Ignatov on the inside.
Ignatov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Distefano tries a body shot but Ignatov blocks it.
Distefano scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Distefano.
Distefano lands a hook to the side of the head.
Eric Distefano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Yevgeny Ignatov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Yevgeny Ignatov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Ignatov tries to pull guard but Distefano won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yevgeny Ignatov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ignatov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Distefano lands a shoulder strike.
Distefano digs a right hand underneath Ignatov's ribcage. Ignatov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Distefano lands a body punch in the clinch.
Distefano lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ignatov.
Distefano lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Distefano misses with the head strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ignatov takes a shot to the head.
Distefano swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Distefano lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short uppercut from Distefano.
Nice body punch from Distefano.
Distefano lands a nice uppercut.
Distefano lands a nice shot to the body.
A short right from Distefano on the inside.
Distefano misses with a punch on the inside.
Ignatov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Distefano lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ignatov backwards.
Distefano working aggressively here.
A short right from Distefano on the inside.
Ignatov working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Distefano.
Distefano misses with some punches.
Distefano has a couple of punches blocked by Ignatov.
Ignatov throws a punch but it's blocked by Distefano.
Distefano scores with a shot to the side of Ignatov's head.

Ignatov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Distefano checks a low kick from Ignatov.
Distefano throws out a counter right but Ignatov avoids it with no problem.
Yevgeny Ignatov is winning the standup battle so far.
Ignatov connects with a solid leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eric Distefano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ignatov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yevgeny Ignatov!
A relieved looking Yevgeny Ignatov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.