PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mick Gerrard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Birigiz Ignatiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gerrard comes to the cage accompanied by Mama weer all crazy now. Mick Gerrard has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gerrard
vs
Ignatiev

175 cm
31
158 lbs
24 - 11 - 1

160 cm
35
145 lbs
28 - 13 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

Spartan Nutrition
Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mick Gerrard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 13 - 1, fighting out of New York, Birigiz Ignatiev!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Donald Grub and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gerrard darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Ignatiev cracks Gerrard with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Gerrard circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gerrard throws a sloppy head kick and Ignatiev moves out of range easily.
Gerrard throws a nice head kick!
Ignatiev throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gerrard.
Gerrard takes one to the side of the head.
Ignatiev takes one to the side of the head.
Ignatiev has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Gerrard scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Ignatiev is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gerrard throws the left hand but Ignatiev avoids the punch easily.
Gerrard tries to score with a low kick but Ignatiev moves his leg out of the way.
Ignatiev throws a sloppy body shot
and Gerrard connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gerrard is looking to score with low kicks.
Ignatiev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gerrard.
Despite the aggression on Ignatiev's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Gerrard gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Ignatiev counters with a solid body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gerrard throws a shot to the body.
Gerrard throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Gerrard misses with a two punch combination.

Ignatiev has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gerrard tries to throw a body punch but Ignatiev avoids it by throwing Gerrard back against the cage.
Ignatiev throws a head punch that misses.
Ignatiev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ignatiev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ignatiev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ignatiev.
Ignatiev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ignatiev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gerrard goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gerrard avoiding damage as Ignatiev throws knees to the body.
Ignatiev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gerrard blocks it with crossed arms.
Gerrard blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gerrard lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ignatiev backwards.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Gerrard.
Gerrard definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Ignatiev with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev struggles to land a body shot inside as Gerrard controls his hands.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ignatiev looking to throw knees to the head but Gerrard is blocking nicely.
Gerrard just leaning against Ignatiev, taking a breather.

Gerrard escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ignatiev lands a body shot.
Ignatiev blocks a head kick by Gerrard.
Gerrard throws a lazy head kick

and Ignatiev counters by clinching up.
Gerrard swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ignatiev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ignatiev tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gerrard gets through Ignatiev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Gerrard lands a nice shot to the body.
Ignatiev with a knee to the head.

It looks like Mick Gerrard has been cut.
Ignatiev with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Gerrard struggles to land a body shot inside as Ignatiev controls his hands.
Ignatiev lands a body shot.
Gerrard misses with a punch to the body.
Ignatiev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ignatiev blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev throws a head punch that misses.
Ignatiev throws a head punch that misses.
Ignatiev lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ignatiev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gerrard struggles to land a body shot inside as Ignatiev controls his hands.
A right hook to the body lands for Ignatiev.
Gerrard lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ignatiev backwards.
Gerrard is struggling to control the position.
A nice left hand lands by Ignatiev.
Gerrard tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ignatiev working aggressively here.
Gerrard throws a head punch that misses.
Ignatiev presses Gerrard against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Gerrard is trying to break free.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ignatiev.
Gerrard has a couple of punches blocked by Ignatiev.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ignatiev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gerrard's brow.
Gerrard lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ignatiev.

Gerrard pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ignatiev throws a head kick but Gerrard moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gerrard swinging wildly here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gerrard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gerrard scores with a jab to the head.
Gerrard takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Gerrard misses with a straight right.
Ignatiev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ignatiev throws a head kick that misses
enabling Gerrard to counter with a crisp jab.
Gerrard cracks Ignatiev with an open hand slap.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gerrard lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Gerrard thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gerrard tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ignatiev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gerrard somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mick Gerrard will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mick Gerrard's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ignatiev looking to land some kicks to the body here.
An attempted straight right counter from Gerrard misses the target.
Ignatiev moves out of range as Gerrard strikes.
Gerrard throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ignatiev stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ignatiev misses with a body kick.
It looked like Gerrard was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Ignatiev.
Gerrard is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Gerrard throws a wild body kick that Ignatiev sees coming a mile off.
Nice cross by Gerrard.
Ignatiev slips under a jab from Gerrard.
Ignatiev with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Gerrard to score with a decent uppercut.
Gerrard keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gerrard throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gerrard throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gerrard swats away the attempt to clinch by Ignatiev.
A little feinted left hand from Gerrard on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignatiev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gerrard paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gerrard scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Mick Gerrard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ignatiev tries to move into range but Gerrard moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Gerrard swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gerrard tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ignatiev is able to avoid easily.
Gerrard throws a sloppy body shot
and Ignatiev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gerrard connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Ignatiev's hands.
Ignatiev takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Gerrard loads up on a big right hand but Ignatiev slips the punch.
Ignatiev wants to counter with a clinch but Gerrard pushes him away.
Ignatiev wants to clinch.
Gerrard takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gerrard chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ignatiev misses with a looping right.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gerrard tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ignatiev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gerrard somewhat.
Gerrard thows a left - swing and a miss!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gerrard loads up on a big right hand but Ignatiev slips the punch.
Ignatiev tries to counter by closing the distance.
Gerrard takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Ignatiev closes the distance and clinches.
Ignatiev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ignatiev avoids a wild elbow strike from Gerrard.
A short left from Ignatiev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Ignatiev.
Ignatiev misses with a knee to the head.
Ignatiev pushes Gerrard back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gerrard lands a hook that snaps the head of Ignatiev backwards.
Gerrard blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gerrard lands a body shot in the clinch.
Birigiz Ignatiev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gerrard softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ignatiev.
Ignatiev tries to land a knee to the head but Gerrard blocks with his arms.
Ignatiev trying to land knees to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gerrard creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ignatiev takes a shot to the head.
Gerrard is trying to break free.
Gerrard misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gerrard is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ignatiev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gerrard blocks it with crossed arms.
Ignatiev prevents a body shot from Gerrard.
Gerrard misses with a punch to the body.
Gerrard lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ignatiev backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Ignatiev lands with a short shot to the head.
Ignatiev has a couple of punches blocked by Gerrard.

Gerrard breaks the clinch.
Gerrard lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ignatiev circles away quickly and effectively.
Ignatiev wants to counter with a clinch but Gerrard pushes him away.
Ignatiev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gerrard.
Ignatiev scores with a nice right hand.
Gerrard lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Gerrard misses with a body kick.
Gerrard tries a head kick but it misses.
Gerrard connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Gerrard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ignatiev manages to avoid it.
Ignatiev wants to counter the offense by Gerrard and move into the clinch position.
Gerrard is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Gerrard throws a sloppy head kick and Ignatiev moves out of range easily.

Ignatiev clinches up with Gerrard and pushes him back against the cage.
Ignatiev tries to work over Gerrard's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mick Gerrard dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mick Gerrard's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

No luck for Gerrard with that takedown attempt.
Gerrard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gerrard misses with a looping left.
Gerrard misses with a body kick.
Gerrard takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ignatiev thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Gerrard if he has to take too many more of those.
Gerrard misses with a right hand
and Ignatiev counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Nice straight punches there by Ignatiev. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ignatiev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Gerrard misses its intended target.
A head kick from Gerrard lands but Ignatiev takes it in his stride.

Ignatiev darts in and clinches Gerrard up against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gerrard creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignatiev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gerrard taking a breather.
Ignatiev tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Gerrard's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ignatiev lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gerrard.
Gerrard doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gerrard tries a body shot but Ignatiev blocks it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ignatiev.
Ignatiev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gerrard misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gerrard pushes Ignatiev back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ignatiev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gerrard has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Gerrard breaks from the clinch.
Gerrard scores with a nice strike.
Gerrard walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ignatiev checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Ignatiev wants to counter with a clinch but Gerrard pushes him away.
Ignatiev blocks a head kick by Gerrard.
Ignatiev wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice uppercut lands for Gerrard. That snapped Ignatiev's head back.

Ignatiev gets a clinch.
Gerrard is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ignatiev blocks an uppercut.
Gerrard swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ignatiev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gerrard blocks it with crossed arms.
Ignatiev can't find room to land a body shot as Gerrard controls the action.
Ignatiev lands a right hand that snaps the head of Gerrard backwards.
Ignatiev struggles to land a body shot inside as Gerrard controls his hands.
Ignatiev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Gerrard tries to break free but Ignatiev pushes him back against the cage.
Ignatiev tries a knee to the head but Gerrard blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gerrard tries to circle away but Ignatiev has him pinned against the cage.
Gerrard scores with a hook to the body.
Gerrard misses with a body punch.
Gerrard fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gerrard creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short uppercut from Ignatiev.
Ignatiev tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gerrard throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Gerrard goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ignatiev misses with a body punch.
Ignatiev working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Gerrard is trying to break the clinch but Ignatiev is controlling him.
A short right from Ignatiev.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ignatiev.
A short right from Ignatiev on the inside.
Gerrard wants to break the clinch but can't.
A head punch on the inside from Gerrard fails to land.
Gerrard tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A shot in the inside from Gerrard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev lands with a left to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gerrard misses with the head strike.
Mick Gerrard is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ignatiev lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short left from Gerrard.
Birigiz Ignatiev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ignatiev creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ignatiev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gerrard blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Knees in the clinch landing for Ignatiev.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gerrard is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ignatiev has a couple of punches blocked by Gerrard.
Ignatiev crunches a lovely knee into Gerrard's ribcage.
Gerrard tries a body shot but Ignatiev blocks it.
Gerrard on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ignatiev tries to land knees in the clinch but Gerrard avoids the damage to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Birigiz Ignatiev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gerrard 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 William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Birigiz Ignatiev!
Birigiz Ignatiev thanked the fans post fight for their support.