PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nick Drake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Alvarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Drake
vs
Alvarez

180 cm
21
175 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

184 cm
23
174 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent knees
Determined

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nick Drake!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Thiago Alvarez!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, John Mangel and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Drake darts in and clinches Alvarez up against the cage.
Drake misses with a short punch on the inside.
Alvarez tries to pull guard but Drake won't allow it.
Drake misses with a short punch on the inside.

Drake escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Alvarez closes the distance but Drake moves to the side
and Drake counters with a left and a right that stings Alvarez.
Alvarez darts in trying to clinch
and Drake counters with a stiff right hand.
Jab by Drake.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Alvarez tries to close the distance and clinch but Drake swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drake swings for the body but Alvarez moves out of range.
Drake rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Alvarez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Alvarez tries to clinch up.
Alvarez blocks a jab.
Alvarez throws a head kick but Drake moves out of range.
Drake misses with a hook. Alvarez ducked under it nicely.
Drake looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Alvarez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Drake sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Alvarez somewhat.
Drake throws a right and a left that Alvarez avoids nicely.
Alvarez ducks under a wild hook from Drake.
Drake throws a low kick but it's checked well by Alvarez.
Alvarez looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez feints and then cracks Drake's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Drake down.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Alvarez is defended easily by Drake.
Nick Drake has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Alvarez.
A swing and a miss from Drake.
No joy there for Drake, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Alvarez buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Drake misses with a looping right.
Drake lands a with a good body shot.
Drake ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Alvarez moves away.
Alvarez clinches but Drake breaks the clinch
and Drake counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Drake scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Alvarez doesn't seem bothered though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Drake dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Drake misses with an uppercut.
Alvarez shoots in but no luck this time.
Drake throws a shot to the body.
Drake tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Alvarez was well out of range. Poor timing from Drake.
No joy there for Drake, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Drake lands with a nice body punch.
Alvarez is breathing heavily.
Drake takes a swing at Alvarez's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drake pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Drake lands a nice shot that snaps Alvarez's head back.
Drake looks to land a combination but Alvarez avoids it well.
Drake leaves Alvarez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Alvarez moves out of range of the body kick.
Nick Drake seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Drake jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez fails in his attempt to clinch.
Alvarez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nick Drake has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Alvarez.
Alvarez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Drake swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nick Drake is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A big right from Drake misses.
Drake misses with the combination.
Drake rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Alvarez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nick Drake is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drake digs a good body shot into Alvarez's ribs.
Drake darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Alvarez doesn't manage to clinch there - Drake circles away.
Drake scores with a shot to the body.
Drake looks to score with a jab to the body but Alvarez is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drake darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

It looks like Thiago Alvarez has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Drake pushes Alvarez up against the cage in a clinch.
Alvarez tries to pull guard but Drake holds him up against the cage and eventually Alvarez drops back down to his feet.
Alvarez jumps guard but Drake stands there with Alvarez around his waist. Alvarez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Alvarez is trying desperately to land a takedown but Drake is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Alvarez.
Drake lands an uppercut.
Drake wants to break the clinch but can't.
Alvarez has Drake pressed against the cage, preventing Drake from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Drake's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Drake is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Alvarez can do to turn this around?
Drake scores with a jab to the head.
Drake misses with a wild combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Drake scores with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Drake dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Thiago Alvarez's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Drake checks the leg kick.
Drake misses with an uppercut.
Nick Drake is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Alvarez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Alvarez takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Drake comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Drake throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Drake looks to land a left hand but Alvarez moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drake throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Alvarez darts in trying to clinch

and Drake counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Drake.
Alvarez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Alvarez tries to pull guard but Drake won't allow it.
The is referee keeping an eye on Drake - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Alvarez keeps control of Drake as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Alvarez trying to control the position but instead, Drake has worked for underhooks and has pushed Alvarez into the cage.
Drake tries to circle away but Alvarez has him pinned against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Drake has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Alvarez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Drake has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Alvarez tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Drake just stands there and leans against the cage.
Nick Drake has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Alvarez.
Drake lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Alvarez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Drake lands a nice shot to the body.
Drake pushes Alvarez back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Drake manages to break the clinch.
Drake is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Alvarez.
A punch lands to the side of Alvarez 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Drake misses the shot to the body.
Drake misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A jab from Drake does it's job there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drake throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Drake doesn't manage to clinch there - Alvarez circles away.
Alvarez has his takedown stuffed
and Drake makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Drake looks to score with a jab to the body but Alvarez is just out of range.
Drake looks to land a left hand but Alvarez moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Drake lands a jab-cross combination.
No joy there for Drake, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Drake misses with a wild body shot.
Drake is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Alvarez.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Drake swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Drake clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Thiago Alvarez's cut.
That's time! Drake's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Drake keeps the fight on the outside.
Alvarez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Alvarez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Drake.
Alvarez avoids the body shot from Drake.
Alvarez slips under a jab from Drake.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alvarez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Drake stuffs the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez with a lazy takedown attempt
and Drake connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nice body punch from Drake.
Alvarez is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
A combination from Drake does no damage.
Drake throws a body punch but Alvarez moves out of range.

Drake moves into the clinch successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nick Drake has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Alvarez.
Drake stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Alvarez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Drake smiles and moves away.
Drake misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Drake misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Alvarez.
Alvarez avoids the body shot from Drake.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drake swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Alvarez slips under a jab.
Drake lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Alvarez at a distance.
Alvarez shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Drake sprawls well. Drake wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Alvarez gets slowly back to his feet.
A big right from Drake misses.

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.
Drake throws a hook but Alvarez avoids it easily.
Drake fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Alvarez manages to avoid it.
Alvarez tries to clinch but Drake moves out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Drake punishes Alvarez's body with a nice straight punch.
Drake scores with the left hand. Alvarez knows he should have avoided that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Drake had his way with Thiago Alvarez in that round.
The cut man is working on Thiago Alvarez's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A combination from Drake does no damage.
Drake dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A jab from Drake misses.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Alvarez looks to clinch
and Drake counters with a right hand to the body.
Alvarez moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Drake throws a right and a left that Alvarez avoids nicely.
Alvarez is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Drake.
Alvarez tries to score with a low kick but Drake moves his leg out of the way.
Alvarez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Drake clinches.
Alvarez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Alvarez looking to stall.

Alvarez manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Drake passes Alvarez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Drake is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Alvarez is trying to get back to full guard.
Drake works his way into side control.
Alvarez is being controlled here.
Drake connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Alvarez some visible discomfort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drake controls the position.
Drake wants to lay and pray for a moment but Alvarez keeps working.
Drake remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Drake is chipping away with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alvarez seems a little lost for a moment, as Drake dominates the positioning.
Nick Drake is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Nick Drake just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Alvarez looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Drake lands a head shot.
Thiago Alvarez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Drake's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Drake duly obliges.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Drake showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Drake has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 50:42
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 50:43
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 50:43

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Drake!
Nick Drake is the new welterweight champion!