PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ansis Kaupens (ranked 360 p4p, 588 weight class) and Yevgeny Ignatov (ranked 48 p4p, 83 weight class). Ansis Kaupens has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Kaupens
vs
Ignatov

200 cm
27
190
16 - 5 - 1

189 cm
27
194
13 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Conviction
HELLBENT

Akuma Wear
Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 16 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Ansis Kaupens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yevgeny Ignatov!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Phil Schofield and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kaupens throws a shot from downtown. Ignatov moves away and avoids it.
Ignatov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A left and a right from Kaupens both land. Nice combination.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kaupens.
Ignatov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ignatov throws out a loose jab but Kaupens uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ignatov slips a jab from Kaupens.
Kaupens loads up on a big right hand but Ignatov slips the punch.
Ignatov looks to throw the jab but Kaupens is out of range.
Kaupens pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ignatov throws a leg kick
and Kaupens counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kaupens misses with a straight left.
Kaupens looks to score with a jab to the body but Ignatov is just out of range.
Ignatov fakes the leg kick and cracks Kaupens in the body.
Ignatov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A big left from Kaupens misses.
Ignatov misses with a jab to the body
and Kaupens connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The fighters circling - Ignatov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A little feinted left hand from Kaupens on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ignatov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignatov misses the jab.
Kaupens staying out of range there.
A jab from Ignatov misses.
Ignatov throws a shot from downtown. Kaupens moves away and avoids it.
Ignatov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kaupens on the side of the head.
Ignatov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ignatov throws a leg kick which misses Kaupens's front leg but catches the back leg as Kaupens tries to avoid it.
Kaupens looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ignatov throws a big shot that misses.
Kaupens throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kaupens is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Kaupens misses with an uppercut.
Ignatov throws out a counter right but Kaupens avoids it with no problem.
Ignatov is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Sloppy strikes from Kaupens. Those never looked like landing.
A slow jab from Ignatov misses its intended target.
Ignatov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ignatov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kaupens moves away from the strike by Ignatov.
Kaupens tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ignatov was well out of range. Poor timing from Kaupens.
Kaupens throws a series of strikes that have Ignatov backpedaling.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kaupens misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov scores with a jab to the head.
Kaupens rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ignatov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kaupens throws a series of punches but Ignatov moves out of range.
Ignatov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ignatov misses with an uppercut. Kaupens saw that one coming.
Ignatov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kaupens chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ignatov can pounce on him.
Kaupens lands a nice shot to the body.
No joy there for Kaupens, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ignatov misses the jab.
Kaupens misses with a right hand
and Ignatov counters with a three punch combo that has Kaupens backing up. Kaupens nods at Ignatov to acknowledge the strikes.
Kaupens takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Ignatov throws a lazy right hand but Kaupens sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ignatov scores with a punch to the head.
Ignatov scores with a leg kick.
Kaupens misses with an uppercut. Ignatov saw that one coming.
Ignatov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kaupens defending well as Ignatov loads up on a big left hand.
Ansis Kaupens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice defenses there by Ignatov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ignatov can pounce on him.
Ignatov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kaupens throws a looping overhand right but Ignatov ducks down to avoid it.
Ignatov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Ignatov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kaupens's head.
Kaupens will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ignatov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Ignatov throws a hook but Kaupens avoids it easily.
Kaupens looks to land a left hand but Ignatov moved out of range nicely.
Kaupens misses with a looping left.
Ignatov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kaupens.
Ignatov appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
A leg kick checked by Kaupens.
Kaupens lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ignatov circles away quickly and effectively.
Kaupens throws an off balance right hand
and Ignatov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ignatov misses with a low kick.
Ignatov tried to score with a low kick but Kaupens checks it.
Kaupens really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ignatov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kaupens checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Ignatov has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Nice straight punches there by Ignatov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ignatov.
Kaupens throws an overhand right that lands on Ignatov's shoulder, as Ignatov tries to avoid the shot.
A little jabbing left from Ignatov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ignatov scoring well with a low kick there.
Ignatov throws a shot from downtown. Kaupens moves away and avoids it.
A punch lands to the side of Ignatov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kaupens scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Ignatov 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.
Kaupens lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A swing and a miss from Ignatov.
Ignatov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A big left from Kaupens misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ignatov with a nice calf kick.
Ignatov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Ignatov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kaupens digs a right hand underneath Ignatov's ribcage. Ignatov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
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 Ansis Kaupens will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kaupens works over Ignatov's head and body with a nice combination.
Ignatov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kaupens checks it well.
Kaupens lands a jab to Ignatov's midsection.
Ignatov throws a low kick but Kaupens avoids it.
Kaupens swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kaupens misses with an uppercut.
Ignatov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ignatov misses with a low kick.
Kaupens fails to land with a series of punches.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ignatov. Kaupens does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kaupens uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kaupens loads up on a big right hand but Ignatov slips the punch.
That kick from Ignatov tenderised Kaupens's leg. Kaupens is trying to keep his angry face on.
A telegraphed right hand from Ignatov misses the target.
Kaupens swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ignatov! But no joy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ignatov avoids the body shot from Kaupens.
Kaupens is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kaupens checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A good leg kick by Ignatov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaupens tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ignatov was well out of range. Poor timing from Kaupens.
A bone on bone clash there as Kaupens blocks the leg kick.
Kaupens throws a hook but Ignatov avoids it easily.
A clash of legs there as Kaupens blocks the low kick.
Ignatov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ignatov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A big left from Kaupens misses.
Ignatov throws out a counter right but Kaupens avoids it with no problem.
Kaupens misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kaupens throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ignatov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice straight punches there by Kaupens. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kaupens.
A good leg kick by Ignatov.
Kaupens on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kaupens waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ignatov.
Kaupens bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kaupens throws a hook but Ignatov avoids it easily.
Kaupens checks a leg kick.
Kaupens checks a leg kick nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ignatov. That's going to slow Kaupens down.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kaupens. Ignatov does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kaupens misses with a shot to the body
and Ignatov counters with a good low kick that Kaupens was not able to check.
Kaupens is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ignatov throws a leg kick that misses.
Kaupens lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ignatov circles away quickly and effectively.
Kaupens defending well as Ignatov loads up on a big left hand.
Ignatov throws a body punch but Kaupens moves out of range.
Ignatov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kaupens looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Danga de danga de dang - Kaupens scores with a four punch combination!
Ignatov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ignatov throws a hook but Kaupens blocks it.
Kaupens's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ignatov under the eye.
Ignatov blocks a jab.
Kaupens throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ignatov counters with a thumping low kick.
Kaupens doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ignatov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ignatov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kaupens.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens throws a lazy right hand but Ignatov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ignatov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kaupens throws out a loose jab but Ignatov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ignatov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kaupens throws an off balance right hand
enabling Ignatov to counter with a crisp jab.
Ignatov looks to throw the jab but Kaupens is out of range.
Kaupens was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ignatov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ignatov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kaupens connects with a body shot that sends Ignatov's belly button to the back.
Kaupens with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kaupens throws a body shot but no joy.
Kaupens scores with a jab.
Kaupens moves forwards but Ignatov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kaupens gets tackled into the cage by Ignatov. Ignatov maintains the clinch.

Kaupens breaks the clinch.
Ignatov tries to close the distance and clinch but Kaupens swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens misses with a hook.
Kaupens walks into a jab.
Kaupens misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kaupens throws a series of strikes that have Ignatov backpedaling.
Ansis Kaupens is winning the standup battle so far.
Ignatov catches Kaupens with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ignatov connects with a leg kick.
Kaupens throws a lazy right hand but Ignatov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kaupens moves out of range of the leg kick from Ignatov.
Ignatov throws a leg kick but Kaupens sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ignatov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kaupens fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ignatov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kaupens manages to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kaupens misses with an uppercut.
Kaupens looks to land a left hand but Ignatov moved out of range nicely.
Kaupens swings for the body but Ignatov moves out of range.
Kaupens throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kaupens takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ansis Kaupens will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ignatov throws the left hand but Kaupens avoids the punch easily.
Yevgeny Ignatov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kaupens takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kaupens, as that shot connected.
Ignatov misses with a looping left.
Kaupens takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ignatov throws a hook to the side of Kaupens's head but Kaupens sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ignatov throws a hook but Kaupens blocks it.
Kaupens misses with a hook
and Ignatov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kaupens misses with a straight left.
Ignatov misses with a hook.
Kaupens throws a nice looking combination but Ignatov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ignatov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Ignatov throws a lazy right hand but Kaupens sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ignatov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kaupens throws an overhand right that lands on Ignatov's shoulder, as Ignatov tries to avoid the shot.
Kaupens rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ignatov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ignatov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ignatov throws a poor cross that misses
and Ignatov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignatov scores with a jab to the head.
Kaupens lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ignatov circles away quickly and effectively.
A big right from Ignatov misses.
Kaupens looks to score with a jab to the body but Ignatov is just out of range.
Ignatov moves out of range of the strikes.
Ignatov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kaupens throws a jab but it's blocked by Ignatov.
Ignatov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Ignatov looks to throw the jab but Kaupens is out of range.
Ignatov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kaupens.
Ignatov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kaupens throws a hook but Ignatov avoids it easily.
Ignatov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ignatov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kaupens's sensitive parts.
Kaupens takes a swing at Ignatov's ribcage but misses.
Ignatov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kaupens throws out the jab.
Kaupens looks to throw the jab but Ignatov is out of range.
Ignatov lands a slapping body shot.
Ignatov connects with a jab.
A nice combination there by Kaupens.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ignatov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
That kick from Ignatov tenderised Kaupens's leg. Kaupens is trying to keep his angry face on.
Nice straight punches there by Kaupens. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kaupens.
A slow jab from Ignatov misses its intended target.
Kaupens throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ignatov doesn't manage to clinch there - Kaupens circles away.
Kaupens is looking to counter punch.
The fighters circling - Ignatov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kaupens lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Ignatov loads up on a big right hand but Kaupens slips the punch.
Kaupens misses with a few strikes there.
Kaupens misses with a hook.
Kaupens checks a low kick from Ignatov.
Kaupens tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ignatov was well out of range. Poor timing from Kaupens.
Ignatov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Ignatov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ignatov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kaupens.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ignatov ducks under a wild hook from Kaupens.
Ignatov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ignatov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kaupens.
Kaupens throws a shot from downtown. Ignatov moves away and avoids it.
Kaupens connects with a good right hand that stumbles Ignatov. Ignatov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kaupens has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ignatov finds it's way round the side to connect with Kaupens's head.
Ignatov lands a head shot.
Kaupens throws a hook but Ignatov blocks it.
Ignatov flicks out a counter leg kick but Kaupens steps away.
Ignatov throws a leg kick that misses.
Ignatov is looking to chop away at Kaupens's legs.
Ignatov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A jab from Kaupens misses.
Kaupens throws a shot from downtown. Ignatov moves away and avoids it.
Ignatov lands a jab to the head.
Kaupens has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ignatov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ignatov dodges the punch combination from Kaupens.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov tried to score with a low kick but Kaupens checks it.
Ignatov scores with a jab to the head.
A swing and a miss from Ignatov.
Kaupens swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kaupens checks the leg kick.
Kaupens scores with a nice right hand.
Kaupens defending well as Ignatov loads up on a big left hand.
Kaupens slips a straight right by Ignatov.
Kaupens uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ignatov.
Kaupens throws a shot from downtown. Ignatov moves away and avoids it.
Kaupens defending well as Ignatov loads up on a big left hand.
Ignatov thows a leg kick but Kaupens checks it
and Ignatov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kaupens checks a leg kick.
Kaupens was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A leg kick checked by Kaupens.
Ansis Kaupens is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ignatov jabs Kaupens right on the nose. Kaupens blinks but takes it well.
Kaupens keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Yevgeny Ignatov.
I think Kaupens 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ansis Kaupens!
During a confident post fight interview, Ansis Kaupens thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.