PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pentti Hirvonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Drago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Hirvonen
vs
Drago

185 cm
20
196 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

183 cm
21
200 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Determined

Hellbent, Inc.

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 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pentti Hirvonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Drago!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Vladimir Khabensky and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hirvonen waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Drago.
Drago bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hirvonen tests Drago's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hirvonen misses with a straight left.
A slow jab from Hirvonen misses its intended target.
Hirvonen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Drago moves away.
Drago tries to clinch up.
Drago steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hirvonen.
Hirvonen thuds a left hand into Drago's body.
Drago slips under a jab from Hirvonen.
Hirvonen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Drago.
Drago moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Pentti Hirvonen has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hirvonen throws an overhand right that lands on Drago's shoulder, as Drago tries to avoid the shot.
Drago looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hirvonen is fending him off so far but Drago persists. Nope, Hirvonen circles away and we're back to standing.
Hirvonen throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Drago on the side of the head.
Drago shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hirvonen waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Drago.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hirvonen swivels and escapes.
Pentti Hirvonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikolai Drago.
Hirvonen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Drago manages to avoid it.
Drago steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hirvonen.
Hirvonen misses with an uppercut. Drago saw that one coming.
Drago bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Drago blocks a jab.
Drago fakes the leg kick and cracks Hirvonen in the body.
Hirvonen misses with an uppercut. Drago saw that one coming.

Drago is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hirvonen's half guard.
Hirvonen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hirvonen can't keep his opponent in guard - Drago advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Drago is thwarting Hirvonen's attempts to control the position.
Hirvonen wants to sweep but Drago has passed to side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Hirvonen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hirvonen gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Hirvonen lands a couple of sideways elbows.
Hirvonen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Drago's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Drago's back!
Drago covers up after that shot from Hirvonen.

Hirvonen working for the choke.
Will Hirvonen go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Hirvonen is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago tries to break free.
Drago trying to control the position but Hirvonen manages to sink in the hooks.
A lull in the action here.
Hirvonen is trying to stick to Drago's back but Drago is turning into Hirvonen. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Hirvonen's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Drago.

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

Drago drops back looking for a leg! Hirvonen is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hirvonen manages to kick Drago off! Drago jumps back into Hirvonen's guard.
Hirvonen wants to sweep here but Drago controlling him for the moment.

Hirvonen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Drago can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Drago works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Hirvonen lands with a few short shots to the body.

Drago decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Drago drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Hirvonen looking for a sweep but Drago has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Hirvonen is trying desperately to improve position.
Hirvonen gets back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hirvonen is looking to improve his position.
Drago tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Hirvonen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nikolai Drago will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Pentti Hirvonen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Drago tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hirvonen swivels and escapes.
Hirvonen lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Nikolai Drago seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hirvonen takes a swing at Drago's ribcage but misses.
Drago tries a head kick but it misses.
Hirvonen scores with a nice right hand.
Hirvonen throws a hook but Drago blocks it.
Drago blocks a jab.

Drago drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Hirvonen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Drago can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Hirvonen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hirvonen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Drago trying to control but Hirvonen is working from the bottom.
Drago stopping the sweep attempt from Hirvonen.
Hirvonen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Drago trying to control the position from guard on top but Hirvonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hirvonen can't keep his opponent in guard - Drago advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Hirvonen regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drago is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Hirvonen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Drago defends well.
Drago would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Hirvonen is looking for a triangle but Drago pushes his legs off easily.
Hirvonen manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen looking to control and managing it successfully.
Hirvonen cracks Drago with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Pentti Hirvonen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Hirvonen is going olschool here, as he tries to force Drago to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Drago shrugs it off.
Drago is in all sorts of trouble here.
Drago bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Drago controlling from the top position.
Hirvonen wants to stand up but Drago is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hirvonen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Drago doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Drago manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Drago not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Drago trying to control but Hirvonen is working from the bottom.
Hirvonen looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pentti Hirvonen dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Pentti Hirvonen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Drago moves out of range of the strikes.
Jab by Hirvonen.
Drago tries to clinch there but Hirvonen circles away.
Hirvonen swings for the body but Drago moves out of range.

Drago looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Drago wants to pass the guard but Hirvonen is defending well.
Hirvonen is trying to get back to full guard.
Hirvonen punching from the bottom.
Drago thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Drago takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Drago is looking to take a break and control but Hirvonen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hirvonen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Drago wants to control from the top but Hirvonen keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hirvonen is keeping the position for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hirvonen misses the shot to the body.
Hirvonen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Drago ducks under a wild hook from Hirvonen.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Drago.
Hirvonen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Drago taking a breather here.
Hirvonen tries to buck Drago off but Drago is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen wants to control but Drago postures up.
Hirvonen manages to work his way to half guard, despite Drago's best efforts.
Hirvonen is staying active underneath Drago, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hirvonen wants to improve his position but Drago is controlling well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Drago is trying to control. Hirvonen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hirvonen throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Hirvonen manages to get to full guard.
Drago preventing the sweep.
Hirvonen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Drago!

Hirvonen moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Drago has worked his arm free - good work by Drago!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen throws an elbow but Drago slips to the side and avoids it well.
An elbow from Hirvonen crashes against the mat.
Drago gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Hirvonen working the ground and pound effectively.

Hirvonen jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Drago is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Drago and Hirvonen has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Drago is looking for a sweep.

Hirvonen is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Drago knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Drago is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drago manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Hirvonen is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Drago pulls his head out easily.
Drago trying to control from half guard but Hirvonen is working away.
Drago is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

Hirvonen actively working from the bottom here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Drago throws a head kick but Hirvonen moves out of range.
Hirvonen swings for the body but Drago moves out of range.
Hirvonen throws a body punch but Drago moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Drago comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Drago has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Drago!